On Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry addressed the new partnership agreement between Ukraine and Britain, expressing that there is no scope for collaboration in the Sea of Azov. The Kremlin expressed concern regarding the potential placement of British military assets in Ukraine under the agreement, particularly in the Sea of Azov, which Russia regards as its own territory. The Foreign Ministry reiterated these concerns, with spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating that any claims to the Sea of Azov would be seen as interference in Russia's internal affairs and would be strongly opposed.
The Sea of Azov is located near southwest Russia, areas in southern Ukraine occupied by Russia, and the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014. Zakharova dismissed the agreement as insignificant for Russia, branding it as merely a Ukrainian PR effort, and emphasized that the Sea of Azov is Russia's "internal sea."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to collaborate with Ukraine and allies on security assurances in case of a negotiated ceasefire with Russia, offering additional support to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The agreement, disclosed during Starmer's debut visit to Kyiv as prime minister, encompasses various areas, aiming to enhance military cooperation to fortify security in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Sea of Azov.