On 10 April 2019 at the IMO Ukraine expressed its protest to the Russian Federation in connection with the unauthorized construction and opening of a bridge across the Kerch Strait as well as the discriminatory inspections of commercial vessels bound for Ukraine’s Sea of Azov ports.

Ukrainian delegation reiterated its call on Russia to release the 24 Ukrainian servicemen, who were detained whilst lawfully attempting to sail through the Kerch Strait.

Following consideration, delegations of the EU countries, Canada, the United States as well as the representative of the European Commission have condemned the Russian inspection regime and the hindrance to shipping that Russia’s construction of the Kerch bridge has caused.