Ukraine calls to prevent Russia from returning to IMO Council

This was stated during a briefing at the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development for members of the diplomatic corps, Ukrinform reports with reference to the ministry's website.

The event was attended by 50 representatives from 44 countries and international organizations, including ambassadors, charges d'affaires, and deputy ambassadors of IMO member states.

Deputy Minister Alona Shkrum emphasized the importance of maintaining the unity of the international maritime community in the face of threats posed by Russian aggression.

"The Russian shadow fleet is a symbol of impunity that has no place in the modern world. Its activities threaten maritime security and the environment, and most importantly — undermine the authority of the IMO as an organization that must ensure the rule of law at sea. We call on partners to jointly respond to this threat," Shkrum said.

She proposed specific measures to counter the shadow fleet. These measures aim to close gaps in regulatory acts, strengthen compliance, and ensure adherence to international norms. During the briefing, the Ukrainian side called on IMO member states to support the principle of the rule of international maritime law and to prevent the Russian Federation from being elected to Category A of the IMO Council, which sets the organization's key priorities.

Deputy Minister Artem Rybchenko stressed that preventing Russia from joining the IMO Council is not only a political issue but also a security one. He noted that the decisions made by the organization directly affect the stability of global shipping, and therefore a country that violates the principles of international maritime law, environmental responsibility, and freedom of navigation has no place in this organization.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized UN agency responsible for maritime safety, preventing marine pollution, and developing international standards in the maritime sector.

The IMO Council consists of 40 member states elected for two years, which determine the organization's policies and priorities. Category A of the Council includes 10 states with the greatest interest in providing international shipping services. The elections to this category will take place on November 28, 2025, during the 34th IMO Assembly in London.

As Ukrinform reported, in recent months Russia has been deliberately attacking Ukraine's port infrastructure and has already damaged or destroyed nearly 300 facilities. The targets of enemy strikes include ports, civilian vessels, and grain storage facilities.

Over the past three months, the enemy has carried out nearly 60 such attacks. As a result, almost 300 port infrastructure facilities, 177 transport vehicles, and 22 civilian ships were damaged or destroyed. In addition, 79 civilians were affected, including port workers, logistics company employees, and ship crews.

Photo: Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories