The US on Monday warned Russia that “outlaw actions” like the seizure of Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov are preventing normal relations from developing between Washington and Moscow.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that “the United States would welcome a normal relationship with Russia. But outlaw actions like this one continue to make that impossible.” Tensions have flared after the Russian navy on Sunday boarded and seized three Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea, accusing Ukraine of illegally entering Russian waters in the Sea of Azov.
The confrontation at sea raised fears of a wider military flareup. Haley put the blame firmly on Russia for the clash, calling the seizure of the ships an “outrageous violation of sovereign Ukrainian territory” and slamming “yet another reckless Russian escalation.” But she did not specifically threaten further sanctions, instead calling for a de-escalation of tensions over Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014 in a move never recognized by the international community. “The United States will maintain its Crimea-related sanctions against Russia. Indeed, further Russian escalation of this kind will only make matters worse,” said Haley.
“It will further undermine Russia’s standing in the world. It will further sour Russia’s relations with the US and many other countries. It will further increase tensions with Ukraine”. Haley said her remarks followed conversations with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and reflect “concerns at the highest level of the American government.” The US warning comes ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina later this week.