Russia since Saturday, April 24, has banned the passage of foreign warships and other state ships in three areas of the Black Sea. Restrictions are valid until October 31, reports DW.

The ban included an elongated section of the water area along the coast of Crimea, approximately from Sevastopol to Gurzuf, a rectangular section off the coast of the Kerch Peninsula and a small section near the western tip of Crimea. Kerch Strait and approaches to it remained free for navigation. The document does not specify for what reason and in the interests of which department the indicated areas are closed..

In the United States, this decision raised concerns. The Pentagon called it an attempt to destabilize the situation in Ukraine. " He added that the United States reaffirms its support for "

According to State Department spokesman Ned Price, the move by the Russian side represents another unprovoked escalation of Moscow's ongoing campaign to undermine and destabilize Ukraine..

The European Union also called on Russia to reconsider the decision to close part of the Black Sea in the Crimea region and restrict access to the airspace.. " We call on Russia to reverse these decisions, "

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also stated a protest, indicating that such actions by Russia are another attempt to violate the norms and principles of international law, to usurp the sovereign rights of Ukraine as a coastal state, since it is she who is endowed with the rights to regulate navigation in these waters..