Russia, Ukraine Settle Maritime Border Dispute

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych have signed a preliminary agreement on the delimitation of the maritime border between the two countries in the Kerch Strait. The Russian-Ukrainian maritime border in the Kerch Strait, which links the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea, has long been a bone of contention between the two countries. According to Soviet-era maps, the border between Russia and Ukraine was directly down the middle of the Kerch Strait. However, the man-made Kerch-Yenikal Channel, which is navigable for large ships, then falls into Ukrainian waters (which Russia has always been unhappy with). Up to 9,000 ships pass through the Kerch Strait each year. Ukraine charges Russian ships passing through the Kerch-Yenikal Channel for navigation and pilotage services. In the summer of 2003, a bitter dispute broke out between Russia and Ukraine over the Tuzla Island in the middle of the Kerch Strait, which came to a head when Russia tried to construct a dam on the island. Ukraine accused Russia of encroaching on its territory. In line with Thursday’s preliminary agreement, the Tuzla Island would be considered Ukraine’s territory.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120713/174576071.html