Ukraine has announced a ”humanitarian corridor” in the Black Sea to release cargo ships that have been trapped in its ports since the outbreak of war. This move is a test of Russia’s de facto blockade, as Moscow abandoned a deal last month that allowed Ukraine to export grain. Initially, the corridor will apply to vessels such as container ships that have been stuck in Ukrainian ports since the invasion in February 2022. However, it could be a significant challenge for Ukraine to reopen sea lanes while Russia is attempting to reimpose its blockade.
The Ukrainian navy has proposed the routes directly to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The routes will primarily be used for civilian ships that have been in the ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdenny since the beginning of Russia’s invasion. Vessels whose owners and captains confirm their readiness to sail in the current conditions will be allowed to pass through the routes. However, there are still risks from mines and the military threat posed by Russia.
Oleh Chalyk, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s navy, stated that the corridor will be transparent, with cameras installed on the ships to demonstrate that it is purely a humanitarian mission with no military purpose. There has been no immediate response from Moscow or the United Nations regarding this announcement.
Approximately 60 commercial ships have been stuck in Ukrainian ports since Russia’s invasion, and their fate remains unresolved despite the grain export deal that resumed last year. Many of the ships’ crews have been evacuated, leaving locally hired Ukrainian staff to care for the vessels.
Since abandoning the grain deal, Russia has declared that it will treat any ships approaching Ukrainian ports as potential military vessels, and their flag countries as combatants on the Ukrainian side. In response, Kyiv has issued a similar threat to ships approaching Russian or Russian-held Ukrainian ports.
The United Nations has warned that Russia’s decision to quit the grain deal could worsen the global food crisis, particularly affecting poor countries, by keeping grain from one of the world’s largest exporters off the market.
Moscow has stated that it will only return to the grain deal if it receives better terms for its own food and fertilizer exports. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who co-sponsored the grain deal with the UN, hopes to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to rejoin the initiative during talks this month.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba believes that President Erdogan is the only person who can convince President Putin to return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
A German grain trader has expressed the need for more details about the Ukrainian temporary shipping channel, as it cannot function unless Russia provides a concrete commitment not to attack the ships.
The situation in the Black Sea remains tense as Ukraine seeks to release trapped cargo ships and reopen sea lanes amid Russia’s ongoing aggression. The success of the humanitarian corridor will depend on Russia’s response and willingness to cooperate.
How does the announcement of the humanitarian corridor challenge Russia’s de facto blockade in the Black Sea?
Rom Russia regarding the announcement of the humanitarian corridor.
Ukraine’s decision to implement a “humanitarian corridor” in the Black Sea in order to release cargo ships that have been stuck in its ports due to the ongoing war is a bold move that tests Russia’s de facto blockade. Last month, Russia abandoned a deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain, leading to a significant setback for the country’s economy. Now, Ukraine is pushing back by reopening sea lanes, but this could prove to be a challenging task in the face of Russia’s attempts to reimpose its blockade.
The Ukrainian navy has proposed specific routes for the humanitarian corridor directly to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Initially, the corridor will be open to civilian ships that have been stranded in the ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdenny since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. However, ships that wish to pass through the corridor must have their owners and captains confirm their willingness to sail under the current conditions. It is important to note that there are still potential dangers, including mines and the military threat posed by Russia.
Oleh Chalyk, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s navy, emphasized the transparency of the corridor by stating that surveillance cameras will be installed on the ships to demonstrate that it is purely a humanitarian mission and not intended for military purposes. So far, there has been no immediate response from Russia regarding Ukraine’s announcement of the humanitarian corridor.
Overall, Ukraine’s decision to establish a humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea is a significant move that challenges Russia’s blockade. However, the success of reopening sea lanes will depend on Ukraine’s ability to navigate the risks posed by mines and the ongoing military threat from Russia.