WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement regarding recent developments in the Azov Sea:

“Russia’s egregious effort to blockade access through the Kerch Strait between the Black Sea and Azov Sea, including by attacking Ukrainian vessels, is another example of the Kremlin’s unrelenting effort to undermine Ukraine. Russia has no legitimate territorial claims in this case, yet has again relied on force to trample its neighbors’ sovereignty and flout international law. Russia continues to isolate itself and set the stage for further unnecessary loss of Ukrainian and Russian life. The United States and governments around the world must hold Russia accountable for these illegal and dangerous actions and bolster our political and defensive military support for Ukraine.”

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