Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine – Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine Oleksiy Kuleba, during a working visit to London, met with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization Arsenio Dominguez. The parties discussed the security situation in the maritime sector, the resilience of Ukraine’s port infrastructure, and international coordination in response to Russia’s actions.
During the meeting, Oleksiy Kuleba emphasized that Russia attacked Ukrainian ports, civilian vessels, and logistics routes almost daily, so strengthening shipping safety and protecting port infrastructure were critically important not only for Ukraine, but also for global trade and food security.
The parties paid special attention to the implementation of the technical assistance project “IMO for Ukraine”, which had become an important practical tool for supporting the maritime industry of Ukraine in the conditions of a full-scale war.
They also discussed the issue of countering the Russian shadow fleet, which posed a threat to international security at sea and systematically violated international standards and rules of navigation. The minister also raised the topic of illegal export of Ukrainian grain from temporarily occupied territories, in particular the facts of Russian vessels entering the ports of individual IMO member states with stolen grain, and stressed the need to introduce effective mechanisms for monitoring such shipments.
“Despite constant shelling, Ukrainian ports continue to operate stably within the Ukrainian Sea Corridor. Ukraine remains a maritime state and a guarantor of global food security. I am grateful to the International Maritime Organization and personally to the Secretary General for their consistent support – through joint efforts we will protect Ukrainian ports and the principles of free navigation,” said Oleksiy Kuleba.
The minister thanked the International Maritime Organization for its solidarity with Ukraine and confirmed its readiness for further cooperation to strengthen security in the Black Sea region and at the global level. (Development Ministry)