Foreign Minister Voices Concern about Ukraine Attack

Foreign Minister of Georgia David Zalkaliani met with the Ukranian Ambassador to Georgia Ihor Dolhov on November 26 to voice his concerns regarding the attack on Ukranian navy vessels by Russia.

Russian forces shot at and seized three Ukranian vessels in the Black Sea on Sunday, injuring at least three crew members.

Closely following the developments of the attack, Zalkaliani tweeted that “Georgia fully supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He has called on the international community to “take immediate measures for the de-escalation of the situation.”

The move by Russia has deepened the already difficult relationship between the two countries. Russia is now preparing to charge the Ukranian sailors it captured on Sunday for making an illegal border crossing. Russia’s actions have been condemned internationally and re-ignited talk of western sanctions against Moscow.

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is reported to have spoken with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday, stressing the need for de-escalation and dialogue.

There has been fighting between Ukranian troops and Russian-backed separatists in Eastern Ukraine since 2014. However, hostilities had lessened since a truce was signed in 2015.

By Amy Jones 

Photo source: Twitter

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