Is Putin the Provocateur in the Kerch Crisis?

December 1, 2018

On departure for the G-20 gathering in Buenos Aires, President Donald Trump canceled his planned weekend meeting with Vladimir Putin, citing as his reason the Russian military's seizure and holding of…

As Time Runs Out, Poroshenko and the West Poison the Sea of Azov

December 1, 2018

Opinion

Trouble has been brewing in the Sea of Azov all year. It started with Ukraine’s seizing a Russian fishing boat and detaining its crew in March. The Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko canceled the Fr…

Drama in the Kerch Strait: Teasing the Russian Bear

November 28, 2018

Opinion

When the Ukrainian navy sent a tugboat and two small gunboats on Sunday to force their way through the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov, it knew in advance the Russian response would be swift and mer…

Ukraine Provokes Russia to What End?

November 28, 2018

Opinion

Russia has seized three Ukrainian military vessels violating its territory near Russia’s newly completed Crimean Bridge. The incident is a clear provocation carried out by Kiev and possibly engineered…

With Tensions Mounting over Kerch Strait Incident, Will Ukraine Replace Syria as Focus for US’ Russia Containment Strategy?

November 28, 2018

Opinion

Seemingly out of nowhere, Ukraine nearly declared war on Russia over the weekend after a confrontation in the Kerch Strait, which straddles Crimea and the Russian mainland, between Ukrainian naval boa…

Tense Standoff Around Kerch Strait between Russia & Ukraine: How It Developed

November 26, 2018

Opinion

First, here is a pretty good summary of what has taken place (including videos) posted by RT: Russian ships used weapons to stop & seize Ukrainian vessels violating territorial waters – FSBTense s…

Azov Sea Resolution Adopted: European Parliament Takes Another Swipe at Russia

October 29, 2018

Opinion

The European Parliament (EP) has adopted a resolution calling for tougher sanctions from the European Union (EU) against Russia, should the situation in the Azov Sea continue to deteriorate. The docum…

Azov Sea Flashpoint: Russia, Ukraine Teetering on the Brink of War

September 18, 2018

Opinion

Ukraine has increased its military presence in the Azov Sea region. Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council met on Sept. 7 and agreed to take a variety of steps to boost the country’s combat c…