Russia Condemns UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership To Enhance Security In Azov Sea

Russia is concerned over the new 100-year partnership agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom. It says any British military presence in Ukraine, particularly in the Sea of Azov, would be of serious worry for Moscow.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to questions regarding the possibility of the UK establishing military bases in Ukraine as part of the deal, signed on Thursday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Peskov said that the presence of British military infrastructure near Russia’s borders is a “worrying element” and added that the situation would need in-depth analysis.

The 100-year partnership agreement between Kyiv and London promises extensive cooperation across various sectors, including healthcare, military technology, and economic support, alongside security guarantees for Ukraine.

During the discussions, Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s interest in the deployment of Western peacekeeping forces if the war ends, and Starmer affirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting such efforts. However, he refrained from making comments about sending troops to Ukraine.

Russia has made it clear that it strongly condemns any British military cooperation in the Sea of Azov, which it considers as its internal waters.

The Sea of Azov is bordered by areas of southern Ukraine seized by Russia during the war, and the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

On Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticised any claims to the Sea of Azov, calling them an “interference in Russia’s internal affairs.” She said that Russia would resist any attempts to change the status of the region.

Moscow also dismissed the UK-Ukraine partnership as a “PR campaign,” to strengthen the UK’s foothold in the Azov-Black Sea basin.

Zakharova said that, since Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories, the Sea of Azov had become Russia’s “internal sea.”

During Starmer’s first official visit to Kyiv, he confirmed the UK’s support for Ukraine, promising £3 billion annually in military aid for as long as necessary. The UK has supported Ukraine in many ways, including £7.8 billion in military aid.

The new agreement focuses on enhancing security in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Sea of Azov and aims to deter Russian actions.

Starmer also mentioned that the UK will provide security guarantees for Ukraine once a ceasefire is negotiated. However, when asked about the possibility of deploying British troops to Ukraine, Starmer did not give a direct answer.

Instead, he said that Britain would continue to defend Ukraine alongside its allies.

The partnership will include collaboration on technology development, scientific advancements, and cultural exchanges.

Benjamin Martill, a senior lecturer at Edinburgh University, described it as a bold move by the UK. He added that the agreement could encourage other European countries to follow the same.

President Zelenskyy mentioned that there was a “classified, secret” portion of the agreement, but he did elaborate on it. He added that the new partnership will help Ukraine to recover economically while strengthening its defence capabilities.

References: Reuters, Aljazeera

Source: Maritime Shipping News