De-occupation and beyond - Understanding Ukraine's Maritime Security Strategy
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree enacting the National Security and Defense Council's decision on the new Maritime Security Strategy of Ukraine, according to the Presidential Office.
The document states that Ukraine is a maritime state and is confronting large-scale armed aggression by Russia. For Ukraine, it is important to regain control over the temporarily occupied territories, the sea coast, and its own maritime spaces, as well as to restore and ensure the safety of sea routes.
Ukraine's maritime security strategy is based on four pillars:
- defense and security - development of maritime defense capabilities to deter and repel aggression and minimize external threats;
- resilience - the ability of the maritime and river potential to adapt to changes in the security environment, supporting sustainable functioning;
- development - building and strengthening maritime capabilities to ensure national interests and maritime security;
- interaction - strengthening interagency ties and strategic relations with other states to develop cooperation and national security of Ukraine.
Priorities of maritime security of Ukraine:
- protection of the rights and interests of citizens;
- repelling Russian aggression from maritime directions and pushing the Russian forces from the territory of Ukraine;
- restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity;
- ensuring sustainable peace;
- transformation of Ukraine into a powerful maritime state, development of naval potential;
- ensuring navigation in accordance with international standards;
- gaining membership in the EU and NATO and developing international security formats;
- transforming the Black and Azov Seas into peaceful seas open for trade and navigation.
Ukraine's maritime security goals:
- increasing the capacity of the Navy and the Sea Guard of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine to effectively counter aggression and respond to threats;
- de-occupation of the temporarily occupied coasts and maritime zones;
- ensuring sovereignty in Ukraine's maritime spaces;
- sustainable development of the maritime and river industry, trade, tourism, education and science;
- obtaining compensation and rebuilding damaged infrastructure;
- restoration of international peace and security in the Azov, Black, Mediterranean and Baltic Seas;
- overcoming the consequences of hostilities, preventing pollution of seas and rivers, and improving their ecological condition.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on the Maritime Security Strategy.
