Pressuring Ukraine's government and economy, Russia is escalating its harassment of Ukrainian vessels in the Sea of Azov region. Located between the Crimean peninsula, the Ukrainian mainland, and western Russia, the Sea of Azov is of important strategic interest to both Kiev and Moscow.



And because the Sea of Azov's trade transit routes and fishing areas make it crucial for Ukraine's economy, Russia sees it as a perfect opportunity to prevent the free movement of Ukrainian vessels through the sea and into the Black Sea. Conducting frequent searches of Ukrainian-flagged vessels and intimidating their crew members, Russia has managed to reduce trade flows and damage the local economy.

The economic focus of Russia's activity cannot be understated here. After all, Russia's ultimate objective in Ukraine is to carve out that nation's southeastern oblasts and create a Russian dominion. Although this effort involves coercive force, it also involves economic leveraging. Put simply, Russian president Vladimir Putin wants to persuade Ukrainians in proximity to the Sea of Azov to abandon self-government and instead pledge fealty to Russian-directed political structures. His economic gambit is quite simple: "Pledge fealty to me and you can be financially stable. Support your government and you will suffer."

Yet Putin faces his own challenge. U.S. and European sanctions on the Russian economy and on his inner circle have imposed a heavy price for his aggression against Ukraine. Those sanctions have also, at least until now, deterred Putin against taking more aggressive military actions against Ukraine.

That brings us back to the Sea of Azov. Because by harassing Ukrainians and their economy without killing them, Putin hopes to intimidate his adversary into submission without risking new sanctions from the West. Again, the key for Putin here is to gradually suck southeastern Ukraine and the Sea of Azov into the Russian political orbit. This ambition is a top Putin priority and the Russian leader reacts very poorly to those who attempt to challenge it.

Of course, that's exactly why the Russian leader must be challenged. If not, he retains the strategic initiative. Thus, continuing to support Ukraine's military, Ambassador Nikki Haley should now bring evidence of Russia's Sea of Azov harassment to the United Nations Security Council and push for new sanctions.