The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns and deems null and void the Russian government’s decree of August 22, which added the temporarily occupied Ukrainian ports of Berdiansk and Mariupol to the list of Russian seaports open to foreign vessels.
This was stated in a commentary published on the MFA’s website, as reported by Ukrinform.
“We view these actions as yet another attempt by Russia to legitimize its occupation and solidify unlawful control over Ukrainian territory,” the ministry emphasized.
As noted, the decision is as a blatant violation of fundamental norms and principles of international law, including: the UN Charter, which enshrines the sovereignty of states and prohibits interference in their internal affairs; the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which affirms that regulation of navigation in Ukraine’s territorial waters falls exclusively under its jurisdiction; and UN General Assembly resolutions that reaffirm Ukraine’s sovereignty over all territories within its internationally recognized borders and strongly condemn ongoing Russian aggression.
In response, Ukraine calls on its partners to impose additional, stringent sanctions against all Russian individuals and legal entities, as well as foreign companies involved in commercial activities at the Berdiansk and Mariupol seaports, and against vessels entering ports located in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
“We urge the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to immediately draw the attention of all member states to the need for strict compliance with IMO Assembly Resolution A.1183(33) of December 4, 2023, ‘Impact of the Russian Armed Invasion of Ukraine on International Shipping.’ This resolution calls on member states to inform vessels flying their flag, shipowners, operators, and insurance brokers of the need to refrain from violating the regime of closed seaports in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory,” the commentary states.
The MFA also calls on the IMO to recommend that member states, within their national jurisdictions and international obligations, take appropriate measures against vessels that breach this regime.
The ministry asserts that Russia’s gross violation of international law regarding closed ports in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory demands a proportionate response from the international community toward Russian ports—particularly those involved in supporting Russia’s military operations—and the imposition of tough sanctions against them.
As previously reported, Russian forces in temporarily occupied Mariupol are urgently preparing the seaport for military cargo operations.
Source: Ukrainian MFA calls for tough sanctions against Russia over use of Berdiansk and Mariupol ports
