Russian Ambassador to the USA: Russia is not preparing sabotage against civilian ships in the Black Sea

Russia is not preparing sabotage against civilian ships in the Black Sea – this is a falsification, informed Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov in response to the White House’s statement that Russia was preparing attacks.

“First of all, I would like to emphasize that this completely contradicts our approaches. Unlike the American authorities, who continue to turn a blind eye to the terrorist attacks of their wards in Kiev, we have always been at the forefront of the fight against such crimes,” the ambassador said, quoted by the press service of the Russian embassy in the country.

He added that “it’s no secret to anyone” that the administration of US President Joe Biden “does not disdain the most vile anti-Russian informational provocations.”

“Not to mention indulging Kyiv in attacks on the Crimean bridge, the use of cluster munitions, drone raids on residential areas and the killing of journalists,” Antonov specified. He added that the US statements are regarded as a desire to “disguise its own destructive activities aimed at the actual sabotage of the implementation of the interrelated Istanbul agreements.”

Russia withdrew from the grain deal, which was signed on July 22, 2022 by representatives of Turkey, the UN, Russia and Ukraine on July 17. Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov explained this by the failure to fulfill Russian conditions under the grain deal. Head of State Vladimir Putin, in turn, noted that the deal could be resumed provided that Russia’s demands are taken into account and implemented.

At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv plans to continue the Black Sea initiative without Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that from July 20, all ships that go to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea will be considered as “potential carriers of military cargo.”

Similar measures were announced by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine from July 21. It follows from the statement that ships sailing in the Black Sea in the direction of Russian seaports “may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo, with all the associated risks.”