Release the unlawfully seized Ukrainian naval vessels and servicemen.

On 13 June 2019 at the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London the EU, Canada, Georgia, Iceland and the United States called on Russia to comply promptly with the order of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and to release the unlawfully seized Ukrainian naval vessels and the 24 Ukrainian servicemen.

Following consideration of the document Safety and security of navigation in the northern part of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, submitted by Ukraine, it was also agreed to expand monitoring of the situation with the safety and security of navigation into the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

Consequently, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee responded to Russia’s unlawful actions and invited the Member States and interested parties to notify the Organization of any threats to the safety and security of navigation in the northern part of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait that, from now on, will receive special attention of the mentioned specialized agency of the United Nations.

International Maritime Organization - IMO