The US will provide Ukraine with an additional $ 10 million to strengthen the capacity of the Navy after the incident in the Kerch Strait. On Friday, December 21, it reported on the website of the US state Department.

“The United States calls on Russia to immediately return to Ukraine detained vessels and arrested Ukrainian sailors, to keep the Kerch Strait and the sea of Azov open for transit to and from Ukrainian ports, as well as to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters,” the statement said. The state Department also noted that the UK and Lithuania also intend to increase their assistance to Kiev in the field of security.

The Kerch conflict

On November 25, the Russian special forces detained two Ukrainian boats and a tug in the Black sea on the way to the Kerch Strait. During the detention, several servicemen of the Armed forces of Ukraine were wounded. Later, the crews of Ukrainian ships were arrested. According to the Russian side, the ships “Berdyansk”, “Nikopol” and “Yana Kapu” violated the state border. Kiev denies the charges. According to international experts, Ukraine has an unlimited right to transit through the Kerch Strait.