Heather Nauert the USA Department Spokesperson in her statement made to the press regarding to the opening of the Kerch Straight Bridge pointed out that the USA condemned the construction of the Kerch Straight Bridge between Russia and the occupied Crimea which was done without the permission of the government of Ukraine.
Crimea is a part of Ukraine. Russia’s construction of the bridge serves as a reminder of Russia’s ongoing willingness to flout international law. The bridge is not only an attempt by Russia to solidify its unlawful seizure and its occupation of Crimea, but also impedes navigation by limiting the size of ships that can transit the Kerch Strait, the only path to reach Ukraine’s territorial waters in the Sea of Azov.
The USA call on Russia not to impede this shipping. The United States has sanctioned numerous individuals and entities involved in this project. These and our other Crimea-related sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns control of the peninsula to Ukraine.
Heather Nauert stressed: “We once again reaffirm our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and recall the international community’s expression of that commitment in UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262”.
In the statement of the Embassy of France in Ukraine stressed that France condemns the construction of the Kerch Straight Bridge which deprives Ukraine of the possibility to use its internationally recognized territorial sea waters. France remains a strong supporter of the restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Violent borders’ changes is contrary to the international law as well as a obligations of RF. This poses a direct threat to peace and security and brings serious consequences for the world’s order.