Moscow Calls Ukraine's Demands to Dismantle Crimean Bridge ‘Absurd’
Gennady Kuzmin has stated that Kiev's assertions lack foundation, and he argues that its assaults on the bridge demonstrate the regime's "terrorist nature." Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Russian ambassador-at-large, Gennady Kuzmin, addressed RT regarding Ukraine’s lawsuit against Russia over the construction of the Crimean Bridge. He characterized Ukraine's demands for the bridge's demolition as absurd, asserting that Kiev claims Russia built the structure unlawfully.
In his comments to RT, Kuzmin noted that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague had recently completed final hearings concerning Ukraine's case against Russia related to coastal state rights in the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Kerch Strait.
The legal proceedings began in 2016 as Ukraine connected them to the bridge's construction, alleging violations of international maritime laws regarding freedom of navigation.
Following a US-backed coup in Kiev in 2014, Crimea held a referendum in which it voted to join Russia. The bridge was finalized in 2020.
Ukraine continues to assert its sovereignty over Crimea, contending that the Sea of Azov, which the Kerch Strait separates from the Black Sea, qualifies as an international body of water governed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Kuzmin firmly declared these allegations and positions as “groundless,” arguing that the dispute does not fall under the UN Convention since the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait are historically recognized as Russia's internal waters.
“Since March 2014, Russia has been the only coastal state in the Kerch Strait. The decision to build the Crimean Bridge was made within the sovereign powers of the coastal state in order to quickly resolve the serious economic and humanitarian problems of Crimea that arose due to the inhumane blockade of the peninsula by Ukraine,” he stated.
Kuzmin also rejected Ukraine's assertions that the bridge hampers shipping operations and negatively affects the marine environment, as well as claims regarding the Russian side conducting unjustified inspections of vessels in the strait.
“We have presented all relevant evidence to the arbitration, more than 15,000 pages of materials. During the oral hearings, our lawyers, with the help of experts and witnesses, convincingly refuted every Ukrainian assertion,” Kuzmin explained.
He added that an evaluation of the project’s environmental impact indicated that Ukraine’s allegations are unfounded, asserting that Ukraine's ongoing attempts to target the bridge affirm its “terrorist nature.”
Kuzmin stated that Ukraine's repeated attacks on the bridge signify a blatant disregard for both the safety of people and navigation, as well as the marine environment.
Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, Kiev has attempted to destroy the bridge multiple times using various means, including Western-supplied long-range missiles, explosive-laden naval drones, and explosives smuggled in vehicles, resulting in civilian casualties.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
In his comments to RT, Kuzmin noted that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague had recently completed final hearings concerning Ukraine's case against Russia related to coastal state rights in the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Kerch Strait.
The legal proceedings began in 2016 as Ukraine connected them to the bridge's construction, alleging violations of international maritime laws regarding freedom of navigation.
Following a US-backed coup in Kiev in 2014, Crimea held a referendum in which it voted to join Russia. The bridge was finalized in 2020.
Ukraine continues to assert its sovereignty over Crimea, contending that the Sea of Azov, which the Kerch Strait separates from the Black Sea, qualifies as an international body of water governed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Kuzmin firmly declared these allegations and positions as “groundless,” arguing that the dispute does not fall under the UN Convention since the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait are historically recognized as Russia's internal waters.
“Since March 2014, Russia has been the only coastal state in the Kerch Strait. The decision to build the Crimean Bridge was made within the sovereign powers of the coastal state in order to quickly resolve the serious economic and humanitarian problems of Crimea that arose due to the inhumane blockade of the peninsula by Ukraine,” he stated.
Kuzmin also rejected Ukraine's assertions that the bridge hampers shipping operations and negatively affects the marine environment, as well as claims regarding the Russian side conducting unjustified inspections of vessels in the strait.
“We have presented all relevant evidence to the arbitration, more than 15,000 pages of materials. During the oral hearings, our lawyers, with the help of experts and witnesses, convincingly refuted every Ukrainian assertion,” Kuzmin explained.
He added that an evaluation of the project’s environmental impact indicated that Ukraine’s allegations are unfounded, asserting that Ukraine's ongoing attempts to target the bridge affirm its “terrorist nature.”
Kuzmin stated that Ukraine's repeated attacks on the bridge signify a blatant disregard for both the safety of people and navigation, as well as the marine environment.
Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, Kiev has attempted to destroy the bridge multiple times using various means, including Western-supplied long-range missiles, explosive-laden naval drones, and explosives smuggled in vehicles, resulting in civilian casualties.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
