Putin describes fuel oil spill in Black Sea as one of most serious environmental challenges in years

MOSCOW. Jan 9 (Interfax) - The recent spill of fuel oil resulting from the wreck of tankers in the Black Sea is one of the most serious environmental challenges in years, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We cannot disregard one of the issues related to ecology. I am talking of eliminating the consequences of the tanker wreck in the Black Sea and the spill of oil products," Putin said at a conference with government members.

"This is one of the most serious environmental challenges that we've faced in the past years," Putin said.

"I would ask [Emergency Situations Minister] Alexander Kurenkov to share his judgments about what we have now and what we should do in the near future to minimize the aftermath of this environmental disaster," Putin said.