2018 Kerch crisis: Kuleba tells about upcoming hearings in The Hague

The hearings in the case of Ukraine v. Russia in The Hague regarding the seizure of Ukrainian warships and detention of sailors in the Kerch Strait in November 2018 are very important for Ukraine as they concern the illegal capture of Ukrainian warships and trials against Ukrainian sailors.

"This case is very important for Ukraine. We prove the illegality of Russia's behavior towards our state, the illegality of the seizure and detention of Ukrainian warships and the illegal trial against our sailors who spent nine months in a Russian prison," Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba posted on Twitter.

According to him, the case is also decisive for the world as Ukraine proves with facts and legal positions that the absolute immunity of warships is a fundamental principle and duty under international maritime law and must be observed by all countries, while its violations are punishable.

"I am confident that Russia will be held accountable following our lawsuit, no matter how long it takes. The effective work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in international courts is a tool for establishing justice and another lever of pressure on Moscow," he stressed.

On October 11-16, the Permanent Court of Arbitration will hear the Ukraine v. Russia case on the seizure of Ukrainian warships and detention of sailors near the Kerch Strait in November 2018.

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