Serhii Kandaurov: Ukraine counts on strong support from its partner countries interested in the security of the Black-Sea region

Ukraine counts on strong support from its partner countries interested in the security of the Black-Sea region. This was said during the interview with the Centre for Transport Strategies by Serhii Kandaurov, Head of the Strategic Development Department of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Secretary of the Interagency Working Group on the Development of the Draft Strategy.

He emphasised that the draft document states that Ukraine will fully comply with all international treaties governing activities in the Black Sea.

“But it is not only about Ukraine to raise the issue of its security. Perhaps Turkey or other NATO countries will propose some other form of ensuring the safe passage of merchant ships from Ukrainian ports into the World Ocean. This is a joint-decision matter. But Ukraine can and must raise such issues. Ukraine will count on strong support from its partner countries interested in the security of the Black-Sea region”, – underlined Serhii Kandaurov.

He also reminded that the U.S. Congress is currently considering the Black Sea Security Act of 2023 which could have a positive impact on strengthening Ukraine’s national security and ensuring NATO’s presence in the Black Sea.

“Can you imagine the level of the United States as a maritime power and its view of the Black Sea as one of the components of national interests in global security as a whole? That is why we want to adopt the draft Maritime Security Strategy of Ukraine which would demonstrate what our policy on the Black and Azov Seas will be like. This is to ensure that all our partners, including the United States and other NATO partners, understand what Ukraine is striving for as a maritime power”, – explained the Head of the Department.