A corresponding statement was made in the context of the return to Ukraine of ships detained by Russia in November 2018 for violating the Russian border. The appeal of the ministers was published by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
“We urge the Russian Federation to fulfill its international obligations by providing unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov and freedom of navigation,” the statement said.
On November 25, Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky held a telephone conversation during which they discussed the situation with the transfer to Ukraine of three warships detained by Russia in November 2018 for violating the Russian border.