U.S. Denounces Russia Potentially Targeting Civilian Ships In The Black Sea
Washington D.C./15.08.23/Turan: The United States said on Monday it is concerned that Russia’s military may expand its targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities to include attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.
"Russia has publicly announced that all ships proceeding to Ukrainian ports in Black Sea waters will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo. This is, in our view, an unacceptable escalation that again demonstrates Moscow’s responsibility for grain not reaching the places where it needs to go," State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told TURAN's correspondent during a daily briefing.
"We’re continuing to monitor this situation carefully," Patel said.
Patel's comments came as Ukraine condemned Moscow after a Russian vessel fired warning shots and boarded a Turkish-owned cargo vessel in the Black Sea. Russia claimed it stopped the Sukru Okan to ensure it was not carrying "prohibited goods".
According to Patel, since Russia’s termination of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine has reported that Russia has attacked 26 port infrastructure facilities and destroyed over 220,000 tons of grain.
"Russia should rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative immediately. It is something that we know works," Patel concluded. "It worked to the tune of more than 32 million tons of grain, and it was instrumental in stabilizing global prices as well as a key factor in ensuring that grain gets to the places it needs to go."
Alex Raufoglu
-
- Politics
- 15 August 2023 10:10
Politics
-
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also the Democratic nominee for president, will separately host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House next Thursday to discuss his victory plan and current state of war, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.
-
On September 29, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes continued the trial of human rights activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev with a review of the case documents. During this time, a dispute arose between the state prosecutor and Hajiyev.
-
The U.S. Embassy hosted a reception to mark the 30th anniversary of the "Contract of the Century." "For those unfamiliar, the 'Contract of the Century' is the agreement signed in 1994 between SOCAR and 11 foreign energy companies, including four from the U.S., to develop the flagship oil field Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG). This deal, which required complex and lengthy negotiations, became the largest Western investment in the former Soviet Union at that time," said U.S. Ambassador Mark Libby during his speech at the ceremony. He highlighted that ACG became the foundation of Azerbaijan's energy sector and ultimately led to the remarkable prosperity that Azerbaijan enjoys today.
-
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Rus' presented the Order of St. Alexius, Metropolitan of Kyiv, Moscow, and all Rus', to Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO). The award ceremony took place at the patriarch's residence in Moscow. Pashazade received this prestigious honor in recognition of his contributions to the development of interfaith dialogue and the preservation of traditional values in society, coinciding with his 75th anniversary.
Leave a review