Russia’s attacks on freedom of shipping in the Azov are expected speed up EU plans for “targeted measures” against Russia.

Russia’s attacks on freedom of shipping in the Azov are expected speed up EU plans for “targeted measures” against Russia. Last week, the EU Foreign Affairs Council discussed in Brussels its “preoccupation over activities in the Azov Sea, which are damaging not only the Ukrainian economy, but also to many vessels that are flying European Union Member States’ flags,” according to Federica Mogherini, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security. She said the EU would be “taking appropriate targeted measures in the coming weeks or days.” Ukrainian officials suggest sanctioning trade from Novorossiysk, Russia’s largest port, which is 150 km south of the Kerch Strait.