Ukraine launches new maritime security strategy, revealing Russian action in the Black Sea

On July 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the Maritime Security Strategy, aiming to ensure the country's overall and effective readiness to prevent security threats at sea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Source: UNN)

According to the UNN news network, the Strategy provides for the building up of the Ukrainian Navy with all its forces and ensuring the permanent presence of NATO forces in the Black Sea.

Among the principles in the Strategy is “implementing a strategic roadmap” towards membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO.

Kiev has set the task of providing air and missile defense for seaports and merchant ships on sea routes; building the capacity of security and defense forces by equipping them with unmanned maritime vehicles.

The strategy envisages the creation of a “demining coalition” involving NATO member states, which will demining the region, including Ukraine’s seas and rivers, in the post-war period under the auspices of the military alliance and the EU.

The document also emphasizes the strengthening of international cooperation and coordination in the field of maritime security, the development of new instruments, mechanisms and systems of ensuring international security at the regional and global levels to help eliminate threats, and to enhance the level of maritime security of Ukraine, the Black Sea region, the Mediterranean and the world.

Notably, this Strategy provides for Ukraine's withdrawal from international treaties signed with the Russian Federation, expanding the scope of economic cooperation in the maritime sphere, as well as creating the latest maritime technologies.

The document says that the strategy is aimed at strengthening Kiev’s position on the path to EU and NATO membership. It will be implemented with budget funds as well as “other sources,” including foreign investment.

On the same day, NV Radio reported that Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmitry Pletenchuk announced that Russia had withdrawn its last patrol ship from the Black Sea.

Mr. Pletenchuk said that this ship is quite old, and is being escorted by several support ships in case it loses speed. According to him, the Russian patrol ship "moved towards Novorossiysk at a fairly fast speed."

The Ukrainian Navy spokesman added that Moscow had already withdrawn from the Black Sea more modern ships, such as the Pavel Derzhavin, which had moved to Novorossiysk with two damaged spots while in Crimea.

Russia has not confirmed the above information, while on July 18, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed: "The large presence of NATO ships, including Bulgaria and Romania, coastal states that are members of the alliance - of course, this creates an additional threat, especially in the current situation."

Asked what Russia would do if the presence of NATO ships in the Black Sea region increased, Mr. Peskov said Moscow would take measures to ensure security.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ukraine-tung-chien-luoc-an-ninh-hang-hai-moi-he-lo-mot-hanh-dong-cua-nga-o-bien-den-279174.html