[Global Issue+] The 'Black Sea' Territorial Dispute Becoming a Mirror Image of the South China Sea Conflict

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] A British destroyer passing through the waters of the Crimean Peninsula in the Black Sea, which Russia claims as its territorial waters, has drawn worldwide attention as the navies of both sides clashed. Russia strongly protested, accusing the UK of military provocation, while the UK maintained that Russia's annexation of Crimea is illegal and that these waters are international waters, not Russian territorial waters, so there is no issue.

This situation closely resembles the "freedom of navigation" operations conducted by the US in the South China Sea and China's opposition to them. Especially since a large-scale US-led joint naval exercise is scheduled in the Black Sea, the UK's tough stance is interpreted as not a unilateral move.

Aftermath of Black Sea Clash Grows..."UK Aggressive and Rough"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 26th (local time), according to Russia's TASS news agency, Andrey Kelly, Russian Ambassador to the UK, said at a press conference that "the UK's stance, as understood from the conversation with the British Chief of Staff the previous day, is aggressive and rough," warning that "we could escalate this incident into a serious military event." Ambassador Kelly emphasized that Russia plans to maintain contact with the UK and will not back down at all on the Black Sea issue.

Earlier, on the previous day, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "We do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory," and "Our destroyer acted in accordance with international law in international waters," statements that strongly provoked Russia.

The British destroyer Defender, which clashed with Russian forces near Crimea on the 23rd, continues to follow the principle of "freedom of navigation" and is proceeding along its planned route to Georgia through the Black Sea.

Russia's stronger backlash is analyzed to be due to the upcoming US-led joint naval exercise "Sea Breeze" scheduled to begin on the 28th in the Black Sea. According to the US Department of Defense, the Sea Breeze exercise will include 32 US allied countries worldwide, including NATO member states.

Actual Target is China... Defender Likely to Head to South China Sea Soon

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

In the international community, considering these developments, it is presumed that the US is behind the UK's tough military activities in the Black Sea. There is also analysis that the real target is not Russia in the Black Sea but China in the South China Sea.

According to CNN, the British destroyer Defender, which clashed with Russia in the Black Sea, is expected to move to the South China Sea soon. Defender is part of the Royal Navy's "Carrier Strike Group 21," which plans to conduct joint exercises with the US military in the South China Sea in August and is scheduled to head there.

The reason Defender is asserting "freedom of navigation" while crossing the Black Sea is also analyzed to be ultimately aimed at China.