18.01.2025, Moscow.
The UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership Declaration is aimed at securing UK’s influence in the Baltic, Black, and Azov Seas, stated Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, on January 18. Her response to media inquiries about the agreement was published on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website.
In the commentary, Zakharova pointed out that London’s goal is to establish its presence in the waters of the Baltic, Black, and Azov Seas, with particular focus on the Azov-Black Sea basin. She added that Ukraine’s role in this agreement is merely auxiliary, emphasizing that neither the UK nor Ukraine has a legitimate place for joint activities in the Azov Sea.
Zakharova criticized the signing of such an agreement, calling it insignificant and a demonstration of Kiev’s attempt to promote itself.
On January 16, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed a document in Kiev aimed at deepening defense cooperation, training Ukrainian forces, developing long-range weaponry, and addressing maritime threats. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry views any claims to the aforementioned waters as interference in Russia’s internal affairs. Zakharova assured that Moscow will decisively counter such actions.