Today in Washington, NATO foreign ministers debate naval measures designed “to assure that there is safe passage for Ukrainian vessels through the Kerch Strait,”

Today in Washington, NATO foreign ministers debate naval measures designed “to assure that there is safe passage for Ukrainian vessels through the Kerch Strait,” US ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison tells reporters. The US proposes increasing surveillance of Russia’s military and rotating more NATO ships through the Black Sea. This month, US, Canadian, Dutch, French and Spanish warships are in the Black Sea. Under the 1936 Montreux Convention, non-Black Sea warships are allowed in the Black Sea for visits up to 21 days. Russia and Ukraine regard the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov as internal waters. Entry by a third country warship would require the consent of both nations.