Ukraine calls on partners to ensure safe navigation in Black Sea after threats from Russia

The ministry said this in a statement in response to a notification from the Russian Defense Ministry regarding the potential use of force against merchant ships in the Black Sea, Ukrinform reports.

"On July 19, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Federation intends to attack all merchant ships in the Black Sea bound for Ukrainian ports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns any threats to use force against civilian ships, regardless of their flag. Russian statements are an attack on the freedom of navigation in the world," the statement said.

The ministry noted that the intention to consider foreign ships as military targets grossly violates Russia's commitments under international law not only to Ukraine, but also to all states that conduct peaceful navigation in the Black Sea.

"There is no reason to believe that merchant ships are supporting acts of war simply by exporting grain to foreign countries that need it to prevent famine. Russia's actions cannot be justified by any norms of international law, including the right of a belligerent to impose a blockade. [...] Russia's statement applies to the entire Black Sea, not only to the territory around Ukrainian ports and, in addition, does not make any exceptions for medical and other humanitarian reasons, as required by the laws of warfare at sea," the statement said.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and regular cynical attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure are nothing more than attempts by the Russian Federation to eliminate a competitor from the market, deliberately raise world food prices, and enrich itself at the expense of the suffering of millions of people around the world.

"We appeal to our partners to fully support Ukraine's initiative to create a humanitarian maritime corridor in the Black Sea. The humanitarian corridor will allow the restoration of vital food supply routes to the regions that need it the most. We call on the international community to condemn Russia's actions and take appropriate measures to guarantee the safety of shipping in the Black Sea as a guarantee of food security in the world," the statement.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba earlier called on the European Union and EU countries to urgently expand all available routes for Ukrainian grain exports.