Ukraine calls on the world to prevent Russia’s election to the Council of the International Maritime Organization. A country that attacks ports, merchant ships, and kills sailors should have no role in shaping global maritime safety standards, emphasized the Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and Minister of Development of theomad and territories oleksiy kuleba, writes tss.
"this week, on november 28, the imo member states will face a responsible decision - what will be the international maritime security in the coming years. They will vote for the composition of the organization's council - the body that shapes the global maritime security policy. ukraine has appealed to partners with a clear position: only a responsible state should have influence on these processes, and not one that itself destroys the foundations of maritime law," he noted.
russia is shelling ukrainian infrastructure every day, turning the black and azov seas into terror zones. during the full-scale invasion from the massive shelling of the russia, 162 sailors and port workers were injured, and there are also dead. russia damaged or destroyed 131 civilian vessels.
last week alone, russia struck a ferry complex and a civilian vessel under the turkish flag, damaging port infrastructure and equipment.
"About 40 foreign-flagged vessels are blocked in the Mykolaiv region. The port waters around are densely mined. The explosion of the Kakhovka dam caused an ecological disaster and physically cut off inland waterways from access to the sea. Russia is doing all this right now. This is a systematic campaign of maritime terror," the official added.
Despite this, Ukrainian sailors continue their work. They go to sea all over the world and ensure global trade. And the Ukrainian sea corridor has already ensured the export of more than 160 million tons of cargo, including 94 million tons of grain to 55 countries around the world. Meanwhile, Russia is expanding its shadow fleet - vessels operating outside IMO rules pose a threat to other vessels and pollute the environment.
"Therefore, Ukraine emphasizes the importance of a responsible approach to the elections of the IMO Council. This is a key body that defines international standards for maritime safety and coordinates the work of member states in the field of navigation rules, environmental requirements and the protection of human life at sea," Kuleba emphasized.
The minister added that Russia's election to the Council would be a signal of impunity for a state that deliberately destroys the principles of freedom of navigation. The IMO Council forms global norms and standards in the field of maritime safety, and trust in this body must remain unconditional.