Patch_W_Adams's St Louis Blog

Tensions rise over Russian navy fleet

Ukrainian politicians worry that Russia may stir sentiments in a bid to annex the Crimean region.

BY TOM LASSETER

McClatchy News Service

SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine -- As the Kremlin seeks to reassert its sphere of influence around its borders and beyond, this home port for Russia's Black Sea fleet -- marooned in the south of Ukraine after the breakup of the Soviet Union -- has moved to the center of tensions between Russia and U.S. allies in the region.

Some Ukrainian politicians worry that Russia will stoke anti-Western sentiments in Sevastopol and cities around it on the Crimean peninsula to create an opportunity to annex the area, the same way Moscow did with two breakaway provinces in Georgia last month, or at least use its influence here to push the central government in Kiev to drop plans to join the European Union and NATO.

Either move would heighten the rising tensions between Russia and the United States, which have returned to Cold War levels over the past year.

Georgia and Ukraine, with American backing, angered the Russian leadership with their NATO aspirations. If they were to join, Russia's Black Sea coastline would be surrounded by members of the military organization.

Sergei Zayats, the administrator of Sevastopol's largest district, said he thought the Russians would be willing to resort to force to keep their ships docked in Crimea, where their fleet has operated since the 1780s. ''The events in Georgia show that this may happen at any time,'' said Zayats, who was appointed by Kiev.

Russia has said it has no plans along those lines.

To Read the Whole Article Go To:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/story/695103.
html