Russia shifted from open rudeness to diplomacy in its negotiations with Ukraine

This observation was reported by the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Elena Zerkal.

Russia shifted from open rudeness to diplomacy in its negotiations with Ukraine

This observation was reported by the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Elena Zerkal.

During the negotiations on the subject of the release of the captured Ukrainian sailors, the Russian side suddenly softened the tone of communication with Ukraine, said Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Elena Zerkal.

According to her, she made such an observation after an exchange of views with the Russian side about the release of the captured Ukrainian sailors and warships on Tuesday, April 23.

“I was struck by the fundamental change in the tone of the conversation – the transition from rudeness and gross disregard to the civilized language inherent in diplomacy,” she wrote on Facebook.

The diplomat added that she does not know what it is connected with.

“It is not known whether this is a change in Russian tactics, or simply a desire to delay the consultation process. In any case, this did not affect the positions of the parties with respect to our sailors and ships,” Zerkal noted.

She reported that the negotiations confirmed the existence of a legal dispute between the parties on the application of international maritime law.

“This fact is the cornerstone for the judicial review of this dispute,” the Deputy Foreign Minister said.

According to her, hearings at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea are scheduled for May 10-11.

“Whether Russia can continue to keep the civilized tone of the conversation and prove it with ‘particular deeds’ will be seen from the documents that we receive from the Russian Federation in preparation for the hearings in Hamburg,” Zerkal summed up.

Recall, on November 25, 2018, in the Kerch Strait, the Russian military fired on and captured the Ukrainian boats Berdyansk and Nikopol, as well as the tug Yana Kapu with crews heading from Odessa to Mariupol. Three Ukrainian sailors were injured during the attack. The Moscow court arrested all the detainees and, according to the latest ruling, they will be in jail until July. They are accused of illegally crossing the border.