"This can't go on like that": Kyiv preparing response to mass detentions of ships by Russian coast guards in Sea of Azov

The numbers are growing steadily, having reached 148 vessels, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Yuriy Lavrenyuk told a Cabinet meeting Monday, the ministry's press service reports.

"Every day, the ASPU records detentions for the inspection by Russian special services of ships, heading to and from the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk. The Ministry of Infrastructure forwards all reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We receive numerous complaints from crew captains and agents working in the Berdyansk and Mariupol ports, as well as port administrations and people's deputies regarding a groundless increase in the number of delays. This can't go on like that. We need to shape up a unified position on Ukraine's further actions in the shortest possible time in response to the unlawful actions by the Russian Federation," Yuriy Lavrenyuk stressed.

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The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Border Guard Service, Security Service of Ukraine, Foreign Intelligence Service, Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, State Service for Transport Security, ASPU, Maritime Search and Rescue Service, the "Maidan of Foreign Affairs" Foundation, and and others.

At the meeting, the participants developed an action plan and adopted a number of joint decisions.