Russia continues to violate international law by taking over the responsibility on international shipping in the marine areas adjacent to the Crimean peninsula, which are an integral part of the territory of Ukraine. Such actions threaten safety and security of navigation in the Black Sea. It is stated in the document submitted by Ukraine for consideration of the IMO Legal Committee in London.

In its statement at the Committee’s session, the representative of Ukraine called upon the IMO Member States not to recognize the Russian Federation’s claim to implement IMO conventions on the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.
Following consideration, the EU countries, Canada, Georgia, Norway and the United States have condemned the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and once again called upon the IMO Member States to remain committed to fully implement policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.