Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin states that Ukraine is ready for provocations by Russia in the Sea of Azov.

"We are ready for possible provocations by Russia," Klimkin wrote on Twitter.

According to the minister, Ukraine needs to strengthen its security presence in the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian defense along the coastline is constantly enhancing, Klimkin added.

As reported, over the last few months, Russia has detained a number of vessels that headed to the ports of Berdiansk and Mariupol. Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan stated that Ukraine was holding talks with EU countries and the U.S. to impose sanctions against Russia in response to the blockade of the Azov Sea.

Earlier, experts in Washington warned that Russia had approached annexation of the Azov Sea and that Kyiv has almost no tools to prevent it.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia did not intend to stop inspecting vessels in the waters of the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov, as "it is allegedly not contrary to international law."

Ukraine intends to raise the issue of Russia's actions in the Sea of Azov during the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24-27.

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