US preparing to sail warship into Black Sea: CNN

The broadcaster said the move came amid heightened tensions in the region following Russia's seizure of Ukrainian ships and detention of Ukrainian sailors.

Tensions flared after Russia fired on and captured three Ukrainian navy ships in the Kerch Strait near the annexed Crimea peninsula last month.

The US military has requested the State Department to notify Turkey of possible plans to sail a warship into the Black Sea, CNN reported.

It cited three US officials it did not name as saying the move was a response to Russia's actions against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

The United States is required to notify Turkey about the passage of vessels through the Kerch Strait under the 1936 Montreux Convention, CNN said.

Under the treaty, countries that do not have a coastline on the Black Sea must notify Turkey at least 15 days prior to transiting, according to CNN.

US ships can only be in the Black Sea for 21 days under the Montreux Convention, the broadcaster said.

CNN also reported that Russia's defence ministry announced on Wednesday that its troops in eastern Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, conducted military exercises involving Pantsir anti-aircraft missile systems.

Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz this week warned that Russia was fuelling regional instability.

Czaputowicz was among government ministers from NATO countries who on Tuesday in Brussels discussed escalated tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

(gs/pk)

Source: cnn.com, niezalezna.pl