[ad_1]
The Ukraine imposed Monday martial law for 30 days in parts of the country most exposed to Russia's attacks after President Petro Poroshenko warned of the "extremely serious" threat of an invasion earthly.
Poroshenko said that martial law was needed to strengthen Ukraine's defenses after Russia seized three ships from the Ukrainian navy and captured its crew this weekend.
US President Donald Trump said he did not like what was happening between Russia and Ukraine and that he was working with European leaders on the situation.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the seizure of Ukrainian ships by Russia "dangerous escalation and violation of international law" and called for restraint of both countries.
"The United States condemns this aggressive action on the part of Russia. We call on Russia to return to Ukraine its ships and its crew members detained and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, "said Pompeo in a statement.
The State Department said that Pompeo had telephoned Poroshenko on the phone and reiterated the firm US support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine facing "aggression" Russian .
The Ukrainian parliament approved the introduction of martial law after Poroshenko had rebadured some skeptical lawmakers that it would not be used to restrict civil liberties or delay elections scheduled for the year next.
It was at the end of a day when Ukraine and Russia exchanged accusations on Sunday 's stalemate and that Kiev' s allies weighed in to condemn Moscow 's behavior.
Relations being still crude after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for a favorable insurgency in Moscow in eastern Ukraine, the crisis was likely to push both countries into conflict. an open conflict.
"Russia has been waging a hybrid war against our country for a fifth year. But with an attack on Ukrainian army boats, he has crossed a new stage of aggression, "said Poroshenko.
In a phone call with Poroshenko, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg offered the alliance "to fully support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine". Ukraine is not a member of NATO, although it aspires to become a member.
Washington's envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said Russia's actions were a "scandalous violation of Ukraine's sovereign territory" and that sanctions against Russia would remain in force.
The European Union, Britain, France, Poland, Denmark and Canada have all condemned what they have called Russian aggression. German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed the need for a dialogue.
The clash in the Azov Sea is more fueled than ever in the past four years, as Ukraine has re-established its previously disorganized armed forces, and relies on a new generation of confident commanders and commanders. who have a sense to prove.
"PROVOCATION"
The Russian Foreign Ministry has blamed the crisis in Kiev.
"It is obvious that this meticulously thought out and planned provocation was aimed at stirring up another source of tension in the region in order to create a pretext for reinforcing sanctions against Russia," he said.
Such a policy would have "far-reaching consequences," he said, adding that Kiev acted in coordination with the United States and the European Union.
Russia has summoned the diplomat to the Kiev embbady in Moscow following the incident, the Foreign Ministry said.
In Kiev, Poroshenko said the intelligence services revealed an "extremely serious threat" of a land operation conducted by Russia against Ukraine.
"I have an intelligence document in my hands … Here on several pages you will find a detailed description of all the enemy forces located at a distance of several tens of kilometers from our border. Ready at any time for an immediate invasion of Ukraine, "he said.
Martial law will allow Ukraine to respond quickly to any invasion and mobilize resources as quickly as possible, he said.
He rejected the "dirty speculations" of critics that he wanted to use the proposed measure to delay elections next year, while he faces a tough battle for reelection and that polls Opinion show him following his opponents. Ukrainian lawmakers held a second vote to confirm that the vote would be held as scheduled on March 31.
UKRAINIANS INJURED, SHIPS HELD
The Russian currency, the ruble, weakened by 1.4% against the dollar in Moscow on Monday, its biggest one-day drop since November 9, as Russian dollar bonds fell.
The markets are very sensitive to anything that could trigger new Western sanctions and thus weaken the Russian economy. A drop in the price of oil LCOc1 – Russia's biggest source of revenue – has made its economy more vulnerable.
The crisis erupted when border patrol boats belonging to the Russian FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armored artillery ships and a tug after firing and wounding three sailors on Sunday.
Ukrainian ships were trying to enter the Azov Sea from the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait that separates the Crimea from the Russian mainland.
According to the Interfax news agency, the Russian Commissioner for Human Rights, Tatyana Moskalkova, reportedly said on Monday that 24 Ukrainian sailors were in detention. Three of the sailors were injured but were not in serious condition and were recovering at the hospital.
The FSB said that Ukrainian ships had ignored the firing warning, forcing Russian ships to open fire for good after their illegal entry into Russian territorial waters.
A Reuters witness in Kerch, a Crimean port, said the three Ukrainian ships were detained on Monday.
Domestic politics in Moscow also adds to the combustibility of the situation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has seen its high popularity rate drop due to unpopular domestic policies. In the past, the success of military operations beyond Russia's borders has increased its popularity.
Tension has been rising for a long time above the sea of Azov. Crimea, on the west coast, is now controlled by Moscow, the eastern coast is the territory of Russia and the north coast is controlled by Ukraine.
For Citizen TV updates
Join the Telegram @citizentvke channel
Video of the day: On Viusasa, you can now download your videos and read them later
Source link
