Dublin (CNN) Planned Russian naval exercises within Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are "not welcome" or "wanted right now," Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister has said, as tensions between Russia and the West continue to simmer over fears that Moscow is planning an invasion of Ukraine. Russian naval exercises are due to take place in early February, approximately 240 kilometers (149 miles) off Ireland's southwest coast, Simon Coveney said in a statement late Sunday. The area is in Ireland's EEZ but not its territorial waters. Under international law, states are entitled to carry out naval exercises in another state's EEZ, Coveney said. "In light of the current political and security environment in Europe, the Department of Foreign Affairs has raised a number of concerns with the Russian authorities in respect of these exercises," Coveney added.

Source: CNN January 24, 2022 23:32 UTC