On October 3, the International Arbitration Tribunal in The Hague concluded hearings regarding the rights of Ukraine as a coastal state in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as in the Kerch Strait. About this informs “Ukrinform”.
In her final speech, Oksana Zolotaryova, deputy agent of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of observing international law even during war. She noted that Ukraine, despite military actions, remains committed to the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes/
“In these difficult times, it is easy to lose hope in international law. Ukraine is a country at war. The war we are waging to preserve our independence. The war we did not ask for. However, even in difficult times, Ukraine does not reject the law. Ukraine remains committed to the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes. Even when we are fighting for our country on the battlefield.” – she emphasized.
The main topic of the case was Russia’s violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which includes the illegal construction of the Kerch bridge, the pursuit of ships bound for Ukrainian ports, as well as the neglect of obligations to protect the underwater environment and cultural heritage. According to Zolotaryova, this process not only concerns the past, but is also of great importance for the future of Ukraine.
She expressed confidence that the Ukrainian flag flies over the cities of Kherson and Zaporizhia today, and in the near future this flag will appear again over Mariupol and Berdyansk. Zolotaryova emphasized that the ports on the Sea of Azov will play a key role in the recovery of the Ukrainian economy, in particular through the export of steel from “Azovsteel” and the supply of grain to the countries of the Global South.
Zolotaryova also emphasized Russia’s desire to steal the future of Ukraine through its actions. However, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea requires respecting the status of international waters and ensuring the free movement of ships through the Kerch Strait without hindrance or harassment. She emphasized that the marine environment and underwater cultural heritage must remain protected from Russia’s aggressive actions.
“It was Russia that cut off the Crimean peninsula from mainland Ukraine and thus severed hundreds of thousands of family ties, deprived the people of Crimea of a future and created a territory of despair and hopelessness from Crimea. It is ironic and even cynical to hear how Russia claims in its speeches before this respected Tribunal , that someone else is to blame for the suffering of the Ukrainians in Crimea, and not Russia itself. Russia says that the so-called “blockade” was the reason for the construction of the so-called “Kerchen bridge”. But the real blockade is the one that is not considered by this Tribunal – the blockade by Russia of Ukrainian ports in 2022, which caused a global food crisis”, she said.
Zolotaryova also drew attention to the real blockade — the blockade of Ukrainian ports by Russia in 2022, which caused a global food crisis, which is not mentioned in Russian speeches.
