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Merkel says plans to discuss Azov Sea issue with Putin at G20 summit

The G20 summit is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires on November 30

BERLIN, November 29. /TASS/. German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to discuss the situation in the Sea of Azov with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G20 summit in Argentina, as she herself said at a German-Ukrainian economic conference in Berlin on Thursday.

"I will raise the issue with the Russian president at the G20 summit," she said. Merkel also emphasized the need to stay calm and work for de-escalation.

Kerch Strait incident

On November 25, three Ukrainian navy ships illegally crossed Russia’s border and tried to carry out some illegal actions in Russian territorial waters later in the day. They ignored legitimate demands to stop issued by vessels belonging to the FSB Border Service and the Black Sea Fleet and continued maneuvering dangerously. In order to stop the Ukrainian ships, weapons had to be used. The three vessels were detained in Russian territorial waters. Three Ukrainian military servicemen suffered light wounds and were provided with medical assistance. A criminal investigation has been opened into the border incident. Moscow slammed the incident as a provocation. The European Union and NATO called for de-escalation, while Kiev declared a 30-day martial law starting from November 28.

The G20 summit is scheduled to take place in Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires on November 30 to December 1.