2003. Sea of Azov/Kerch Straight. Treaty Between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 2 (2000s)
2003. Sea of Azov/Kerch Straight. Treaty Between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
"Vladimir Putin with Leonid Kuchma 24 December 2003" by Presidential Press and Information Office via www.kremlin.ru under CC BY 3.0 and CC BY 4.0
The 2003 Ukraine-Russia Treaty on the use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait aimed to end a long-standing dispute between the two countries over access to these waterways. The treaty established a shared fishing zone in the Sea of Azov and provided for the joint management of the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. The treaty also recognized the sovereign rights of both Ukraine and Russia over their respective portions of the sea and strait.
The dispute had centered on the Tuzla Spit, a narrow strip of land that divides the Kerch Strait and was claimed by both countries. The treaty resolved this issue by declaring the Spit to be under Ukrainian sovereignty, but allowing free navigation for both Ukrainian and Russian vessels through the Kerch Strait.
The signing of the treaty was seen as a positive development in Russia-Ukraine relations, which had been strained over a number of issues, including energy and security. However, tensions between the two countries continued to simmer, and the treaty was not enough to prevent the deterioration of relations in later years.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on March 24, 2023
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Sources for 2003. Sea of Azov/Kerch Straight. Treaty Between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait
Russia/Ukraine: Prime Ministers Meet Today Over Tuzla Dam Dispute - RFERL October 24, 2003
Russia-Ukraine Ties Founder on the Shore of Tiny Isle - Los Angeles Times November 3, 2003
Russia, Ukraine aim to end row - BBC News December 25, 2003
Energy Empire: Oil, Gas and Russia’s Revival - Thoe Foreign Policy Centre | BROOKINGS September 2004