Ukraine urges dismantling of Crimean bridge during Hague court hearing
Source: Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
During hearings at The Hague, Ukraine made a convincing case for the dismantling of the Crimean Bridge and the restoration of free navigation through the Kerch Strait. Ukraine’s special envoy, Anton Korynevych, argued that Moscow illegally constructed the bridge, which created a “lasting obstacle” to international maritime traffic.
The blockade poses a significant threat, especially to large vessels transporting Ukrainian goods. Korynevych stressed that Russia deliberately throws a wrench into navigation in the Sea of Azov, trying to seize control of it and the Kerch Strait, treating this area as part of its so-called “21st-century empire.”
He also pointed out that the bridge, built is “too low” for many ships that used to carry Ukrainian steel and grain to global markets.
To make thing worse, Russia uses the bridge to transfer weapons into occupied Crimea and frequently detains ships headed to Ukrainian ports.
Unsuprisingly, Russian representatives rejected the accusations, calling them “baseless” and beyond the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.
The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.
In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.
Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.
Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.