Russia aims to escalate conflict: Polish deputy FM
PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk
27.11.2018 13:06
A Polish deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday that Russia’s seizure of three Ukrainian ships near Crimea indicates that Moscow aims to escalate tensions in the region.
Szymon Szynkowski vel Sękmsz.gov.pl
Deputy Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk said: "Russia has violated international law with aggression against Georgia, the annexation of Crimea and the war that is continuing eastern Ukraine."
He told public broadcaster Polish Radio that "there are many indications that the main goal in Moscow's policy is an escalation of conflict."
Russia on Sunday fired on and captured three Ukrainian navy ships near the annexed Crimea peninsula.
Russian forces then took 23 Ukrainian soldiers prisoner, six of whom are injured, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Russia’s FSB security service has said the Ukrainian ships had entered Russian territorial waters illegally.
Ukraine has decided to declare martial law in 10 districts for 30 days from Wednesday.
The Polish and Ukrainian presidents have called for stepped-up sanctions against Russia, according to reports.
There are no signs that the escalated tensions between Ukraine and Russia pose an increased threat to Poland, the defence minister in Warsaw has said.
(pk/gs)
Source: IAR