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KERCH STRAIT PROVOCATION

EU looking for ways to increase support of southeastern Ukraine, says Mogherini

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini EPA-EFE/FABRICE COFFRINI/POOL

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini

© EPA-EFE/FABRICE COFFRINI/POOL

MILAN, December 6. /TASS/. The EU is looking for ways to increase support to the regions of southeastern Ukraine under control of Kiev, which allegedly suffered as a result of the hindered access to Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini stated on Thursday after a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin.

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Russia not interested in endless sanctions standoff with Ukraine, says PM

"The EU is looking into ways to increase support to the regions of south-east Ukraine, which are economically affected by the hindered access to the Ukrainian ports through the Kerch Strait by Russia," she stated.

At the same time, head of the Russian Federal Agency of Maritime and River Transportation Yuri Tsvetkov told TASS earlier that there are no restrictions on the passage of Ukrainian ships through the Kerch Strait currently, and none are expected.

In the wake of the Kerch Strait incident on November 25, the Ukrainian government have blamed Russia for blocking the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk in the Sea of Azov. The Russian side has refuted these reports.

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KERCH STRAIT PROVOCATION

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