Following protests by Irish fishermen, the EU will conduct Russian-planned naval maneuvers across the Atlantic outside the state’s 200-mile zone. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coweny tweeted last night that he had received a letter from Moscow in this regard. “I welcome this answer.” According to the Irish Times, Russian Ambassador Yuri Filatov described the decision as a “sign of goodwill” by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Buffer zone as a compromise

The Irish fishermen had earlier reached an agreement with the Russian ambassador to Dublin. Accordingly, a buffer zone should be established between fishing vessels and Russian military vessels. The fishermen had earlier announced that they wanted to disrupt a planned military exercise 240 km off the coast of Cork.

Up to 60 boats are ready to fish in this area of ​​international waters, part of Ireland’s exclusive economic zone (200 miles). This area is considered to be rich in fish. As a result, fisheries representatives and the Russian ambassador agreed to a compromise.

Irish government with warning

The Irish government has previously said it does not welcome the exercise and has warned ships not to approach the area. “The Russian Federation has indicated that the exercise will include artillery and missile launches,” it said in a statement on Thursday.

Former Ireland Agriculture and Maritime Minister Michael Creed has accused Moscow of provoking it and linking it to escalating tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border. He told the broadcaster RTE that this was the first time Russia wanted to carry out military operations in the area.