"The sea can be made safe only through joint action": Zaluzhnyi urged the world to stop Russia's maritime aggression

The Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, together with the commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, discussed threats to maritime security at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters in London. Zaluzhnyi emphasized that Russian aggression in the Black Sea is increasingly affecting the security of Romania and Bulgaria, which are members of the European Union and NATO.

This was reported by Valeriy Zaluzhnyi in his post dedicated to meetings with representatives of the international maritime community.

Zaluzhnyi stated that threats are expanding to NATO countries.

According to the Ukrainian diplomat, maritime security and logistics today directly affect the global economy and politics. As examples, he cited the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, where problems with navigation have international consequences.

Similar risks, Zaluzhnyi stressed, are created by the Russian-Ukrainian war. Its impact is already extending beyond the Ukrainian coast and spreading to other Black Sea region countries.

“And the ‘waves’ of the Russian-Ukrainian war are increasingly rolling onto the shores of Romania, Bulgaria, EU and NATO members,” Zaluzhnyi noted.

He emphasized that Russia continues to attack civilian ships, Ukrainian ports, and rescue services. Such actions pose a danger to mariners and international trade.

According to Zaluzhnyi, Russian aggression has effectively turned the Black and Azov Seas into dangerous territory. At the same time, Moscow continues to try to use maritime routes to earn revenue that can be directed toward financing the war.

The Commander of the Ukrainian Navy spoke at the IMO headquarters for the first time.

Zaluzhnyi paid special attention to the participation of the Ukrainian Navy commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa in the international discussion.

According to him, for the first time in history the Commander of the Ukrainian Navy spoke at the International Maritime Organization headquarters before representatives of the world's leading maritime powers.

Zaluzhnyi called this event the result of the work of Ukrainian diplomats who are seeking to increase international attention to Russia's aggression at sea.

The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the UN that deals with issues of safety of international navigation, preventing marine pollution from ships, and developing appropriate international standards.

Ukraine calls for strengthen control over Russia’s shadow fleet.

During a meeting with IMO Secretary-General Kitney? No, Aransemio Domingues (Arsenio Domínguez) Ukrainian delegation discussed the protection of seafarers, safety of navigation, and the operation of the Ukrainian maritime corridor.

Among the key issues were Russia’s constant attacks on port infrastructure and civilian ships, which threaten international freight transportation.

Separately, the parties considered the activities of Russia’s shadow fleet. Zaluzhnyi emphasized that such vessels pose risks not only to maritime security but also to the environment.

In his view, it is necessary to ensure proper international control over these vessels. In particular, information about their owners and registration should be transparent, and the ships themselves must meet international safety standards.

This issue is of particular importance given Russia’s use of maritime transport to generate income under international sanctions.

Russia failed to obtain a place on the IMO Council for the second time.

Zaluzhnyi also reported on Ukraine’s strengthened positions in the International Maritime Organization in recent years.

In particular, Russia failed for the second consecutive time to secure a seat on the IMO Council. At the same time, Ukrainian diplomats worked to limit its participation in technical cooperation programs and to reduce its influence in the organization.

According to Zaluzhnyi, Ukrainian diplomacy aims not only to inform international partners about Russia’s actions but also to achieve concrete measures to stop its aggression at sea.

“Our task is not just to tell the world about Russia’s crimes, but to stop its maritime aggression. Making the sea safe can be achieved only through joint action; otherwise, the Black Sea region will become a source of even greater threats for the EU and for the NATO eastern flank,” he emphasized.

Zaluzhnyi thanked IMO Secretary-General Arvids Domingues for supporting Ukraine and for his personal attention to the issue of navigational safety in the Black Sea.

As a reminder, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi stressed the need for a new European security system adapted to the realities of modern warfare, including the use of drones and the shortage of personnel.