Russia calls for anti-piracy effort

MOSCOW, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- The foreign minister of Russia has called for an international effort to halt pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa.

Last week, a Russian warship was dispatched to waters off the coast of Somali after a Ukrainian ship laden with 33 Russian-made tanks was seized by pirates, BBC reported Saturday.

"Russia aims to stop the outrageous actions of Somali pirates," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

The pirates are demanding a $20 million ransom for the vessel, which is currently surrounded by U.S. Navy warships.

Interfax reported Saturday that the Russian Baltic Fleet's patrol vessel Neustrashimy is on its way to the region to provide future security to Russian commercial ships passing near the Somali coast.

The vessel has passed the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean Sea, Russian Navy spokesman Cap. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said.

Earlier this week, the European Union agreed to establish an anti-piracy security operation off the coast of Somalia.

Lavrov said the Russians would participate and called for a United Nations resolution to tackle the problem.