Statement by the Foreign Ministry in connection with a US Navy destroyer entering the territorial sea of the Russian Federation
On November 24, the US Navy destroyer John S McCain sailed more than 2 km into the territorial sea of the Russian Federation in the Peter the Great Gulf, in connection with which a tough demarche was made to the United States through military-diplomatic channels. In this water area, ships must comply with international law and Russian legislation regarding peaceful passage across its territorial sea. These requirements were deliberately violated with the intention of calling into question the international legal status of the Peter the Great Gulf.
The Foreign Ministry lodges a strong protest in this regard. We consider this incident to be an outright provocation designed to violate peace and order.
Washington is well aware of Russia’s position with regard to this water area, which constitutes our country’s internal waters and to which the sovereignty of the Russian Federation extends. Any attempts to claim otherwise are unacceptable.
Clearly, using this kind of saber-rattling, the United States deliberately escalates tensions, reaffirming that they prefer military methods of upholding their foreign policy positions in the current historical period.
The fact that a US warship entered the territorial sea of the Russian Federation does not and cannot create any international legal ramifications for the status of the corresponding water areas. We urge the United States to refrain from such acts of reckless behaviour in the future. Otherwise, responsibility for the possible consequences will lie entirely with the United States. We reserve the right to take reciprocal action.
