WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 12th December, 2018) American lawmakers have called on US President Donald Trump to hold Russia responsible for the incident in the Kerch Strait in which Russian forces protected their country's maritime border, the House Foreign Affairs Committee said in a press release.
The release was issued following the passage of a resolution by the House of Representatives.
"Today, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 1162, which renews calls for Russia to end hostilities that violate Ukraine's sovereignty, reaffirms the House's commitment to Ukraine's independence and security, and urges the president to hold Russia accountable for its aggressive behavior," the release said. "Passage of the resolution comes in the wake of Russia's seizure last month of Ukrainian ships and crew in the Azov Sea."
The committee's Chairman Ed Royce said before the vote that the House would be giving Russia a "green light" if it does not hold the country to account. He warned that such a situation could lead to a "dangerous military escalation."
"This resolution sends two messages: the first is to the Ukrainian people to demonstrate that we remain committed to assisting them in their fight for freedom, and the second is to Moscow to make clear that the US will oppose Russian aggression wherever it occurs," Royce said. "I urge the president to ensure by his words and actions that Moscow understands the potential consequences of its actions and the commitment of the United States to the freedom, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."
On November 25, three ships of the Ukrainian Navy - Berdyansk, Nikopol, and Yany Kapu - breached the Russian border, entered Russian territorial waters that were temporarily closed, and began moving toward the Kerch Strait, which serves as the entrance into the Sea of Azov. The Ukrainian vessels and their crew were detained by Russia after failing to respond to a lawful demand to stop.
In response to the incident, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree declaring martial law in several Ukrainian regions located near the Russian border, and the coasts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the provocation could be linked to Poroshenko's low approval ratings ahead of the presidential campaign set to start in late December.
