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The European Union condemned the militarization of the Russian-occupied Crimea.
The European Union is concerned about the deployment of aircraft and missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons in Russian-occupied Crimea, as well as the seizure of former nuclear weapons storage facilities on the peninsula. According to Ukrinform, the EU declaration was announced on December 17 at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council.
“We are seriously concerned about the movement of advanced weapons systems, including aircraft and missiles, capable of carrying nuclear weapons and ammunition, to Ukraine, as well as the illegal seizure and control by Russia of former nuclear weapons storage facilities in Crimea.” , the EU stressed.
Brussels also condemned the ongoing militarization of the Crimean peninsula and the presence of Russian troops on the peninsula, “which is contrary to the national sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
“We regret the accumulation of forces and the conduct of Russian military exercises in the Black and Azov Seas, which threatens the security of this area and the entire OSCE region,” the statement said.
The European Union called on Russia “to refrain from illegal military activities in Crimea, the Black Seas and Azov.”
On December 18, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Andriy Taran announced Russia’s readiness for the deployment of nuclear weapons in Crimea.
“Russia’s preparation for the deployment of nuclear weapons in Crimea poses a serious threat to all of Europe and the civilized world. Russia’s attempt to establish dominance in the Black Sea basin is a major threat to the economies of Ukraine, Turkey and other European countries, “said the minister.
Russia occupied Crimea after an illegal referendum on March 16, 2014. Ukraine and most of the world’s countries do not recognize the peninsula’s accession to the Russian Federation. At the moment, there is a checkpoint regime between mainland Ukraine and Crimea, and Kiev does not de facto control the peninsula.
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