Russia vowed to return seized warships to Ukraine after holding them for about a year, Russian news agencies reported Crimea’s border guard service said Sunday, according to Reuters.
Ukraine has advocated for the ships’ return to alleviate tensions between Moscow and Kyiv.
“In accordance with agreements reached with Ukraine three Ukrainian ships … are being towed to a location agreed with the Ukrainian side for their handover, which will take place on Nov. 18,” Crimea’s border service told the Russian media, according to Reuters.
A Reuters reporter in Crimea witnessed three ships being pulled through the Kerch Strait toward the Black Sea Sunday.
Russia shot at and took the vessels last November, saying the ships trespassed into territorial water, which Ukraine denies. The sailors were returned to Ukraine in a prisoner exchange in September.
Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014, souring relations between Russia and Ukraine, leading to a conflict that has resulted in the death of 13,000 people, according to the news wire.
French President Emmanuel Macron said peace talks for the eastern area of Ukraine between leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine are scheduled for Dec. 9. But a Russia aide told Reuters no date has been confirmed.