Saturday, 17 April 2021, 15:37 NATO calls on Russia to allow freedom of navigation in Sea of Azov 17.04.2021 13:46 Ukrinform NATO considers Russia's actions to restrict access through the Kerch Strait and ban on navigation in the Sea of Azov a part of the country's broader pattern of destabilising behaviour in the region and calls on Russia to stop provocations immediately. “Russia’s plans to restrict access to parts of Black Sea and Kerch Strait would be unjustified move, part of a broader pattern of destabilising behaviour. We call on Russia to allow freedom of navigation. NATO Allies do not and will not recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea,” NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu posted on Twitter.