Black Sea region can’t be safe for next 20 years - Ukraine Navy Commander

The Commander of Ukraine’s Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, is convinced that only if Ukraine returns its territories as of 1991 will it be possible to restore security in the region of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

The commander spoke at the Black Sea Security Forum, held in Bulgaria with the participation of representatives from the countries of the Black Sea region and naval commanders from other countries, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Navy press service.

During the Forum, the parties discussed the security situation and current threats facing the region, as well as ways to develop further cooperation between the nations to restore stability and security.

In an address to the Forum, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa noted that the Black Sea cannot be considered safe for the next 20 years due to the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation.

As examples, he cited the attempt to capture the island of Tuzla in 2003, the war in Georgia in 2008 with the participation of the Moskva cruiser, the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, the occupation of the Sea of Azov in 2022, and the ongoing war which also covers the Black Sea area.

The Navy commander emphasized that Russia’s imperial ambitions extended not only to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov but also to the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the Pacific Ocean.

As reported earlier, on April 26, the Russian Federation once again suspended the Grain Corridor operations.