Islam Times - ‘Ukraine president sent ships into Russian territory on purpose’

Islam Times - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, facing elections next March, deliberately sent Ukrainian ships into Russian territory in an attempt to provoke Russia and stir anti-Russia sentiments, says a commentator.

The Russian Security Service (FSB) confirmed on Sunday that it had been forced to open fire at and impound three Ukrainian naval vessels after they illegally crossed its sea border, entering Russian waters in the Black Sea off the Crimean Peninsula.

Vladimir Golstein, a lecturer at Brown University, said, Poroshenko was going to run for reelection next March and was therefore attempting to portray himself as “a hero who can stand up to Russia.”

“So, he pushed them (the three ships) there (into Russian territory) just to provoke and at least [to evoke] sympathy both within the country and outside the country,” Golstein said.