The court in The Hague has started hearing Ukraine’s lawsuit against Russia for violating the UN Maritime Convention
On September 23, Ukraine officially presented its accusations against Russia at the Arbitration Tribunal in The Hague in the case of violations of international maritime law. The case, which has been pending since 2016, concerns Russia’s illegal actions in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as the Kerch Strait.
The representative of Ukraine, Anton Korynevych, in his speech blamed Russia in its attempts to appropriate the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, which violates the right to free transit and navigation. He also drew attention to Russia’s failure to fulfill its obligations to protect the underwater environment and cultural heritage.
Korynevich noted that the Kerch bridge, built by Russia, prevents the transit passage of ships and serves for the constant delivery of weapons to the occupied Crimean peninsula.
“Desiring to take control of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, Russia has built large gates at their entrances to restrict international shipping, allowing mainly its small river vessels to pass through”, – said the speech of the Ukrainian representative.
Ukraine demands the dismantling of the bridge, as it considers it illegal, and demands compensation from Russia for the damage caused.
For its part, Russia is represented by Gennady Kuzmin, who denies the legality of consideration of this case in the Arbitration Tribunal. He claims that the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait are internal waters of Russia and therefore not subject to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Hearings in this case will continue until October 5, 2024, but a final decision could be made in several years. The hearings are being held behind closed doors and further developments will depend on the tribunal’s decision on jurisdiction in the case.
