Conflict could escalate

EU, US, Nato and OSCE extremely concerned over naval clash, call for restraint and calm

THE Kremlin warned yesterday that the conflict in eastern Ukraine, near the Russian border, could escalate as the result of a clash between Ukrainian and Russian forces near the disputed Crimea region over the weekend.

Ukraine’s leadership responded to the clash between the Ukrainian navy and Russia’s coastguard by imposing martial law throughout much of the country.

The EU, the US and Nato have called for the Ukrainian vessels detained by Russia in the incident and more than 20 Ukrainian sailors to be released immediately.

“The imposition of martial law in some regions may pose a risk of escalating tensions in the conflict-hit region, namely the south-east,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in comments carried by state news agency TASS.

Pro-Russian separatist groups, which Russian president Vladimir Putin has represented in negotiations, and the Ukrainian military have been battling in Ukraine’s two eastern-most regions for the past four years.

More than 10000 people, including more than 2700 civilians, have been killed in the conflict, according to estimates by the UN.

Russian forces opened fire and seized three Ukrainian naval vessels off the coast of Crimea on Sunday. Ukraine’s navy said the Russian coastguard fired at its ships in waters separating the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov off the Crimean peninsula.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel joined other leaders in calling for calm. Merkel telephoned Putin late on Monday after earlier speaking to Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, also by telephone.

“The chancellor stressed the necessity for de-escalation and dialogue,” spokesperson Steffen Seibert said.

Russia annexed Crimea, the site of a major Russian naval base, in 2014 in retaliation for Ukraine ousting its pro-Russian president amid mass protests calling for closer ties with the West.

Ukrainian lawmakers approved a decree from Poroshenko to declare martial law in the area of Ukraine bordering Russia and the Black Sea coast for 30 days.

If the situation normalises, martial law can be lifted again at any time, the head of the National Security Council Oleksandr Turchynov said.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which monitors the conflict in eastern Ukraine, expressed extreme concern over the naval clash and called for restraint and dialogue to defuse the situation.

“We urge all sides to refrain from the use of force and settle any disputes by peaceful means, in full compliance with international law,” OSCE chairperson Enzo Moavero Milanesi said.

African News Agency (ANA)