Ukraine Condemns Opening of “Crossing Point” in Berdiansk Port by Russians

This is an attempt by the Russian Federation to legitimize the theft and export of Ukrainian resources – grain, coal, and metal – via the port.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have issued a statement strongly condemning the opening of a so-called maritime cargo crossing point in the temporarily occupied port of Berdiansk.

The statement by the two ministries states that this step is another attempt by the Russian occupiers to legalize their illegal occupation of Ukrainian territories and consolidate control over them through the creation of pseudo-legal mechanisms, the CFTS Portal reports.

According to the statement, such actions grossly violate fundamental international legal norms and principles, including those enshrined in the United Nations Charter (which establishes the principle of sovereignty of states and the prohibition of interference in their internal affairs), the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (which stipulates that Ukraine has exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of navigation within its territorial waters), and United Nations General Assembly resolutions (which reaffirm Ukraine’s sovereignty over all territories within its internationally recognized borders).

According to the statement, the opening of the so-called “crossing point” is an attempt by Russia to legalize illegal trading operations from temporarily occupied territories, including the theft and export of Ukrainian resources such as grain, coal, and metal.

This creates the risk of foreign companies becoming involved in illegal activities, thereby violating international and national sanctions legislation.

Ukraine has called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to respond urgently, in accordance with IMO Assembly Resolution A.1183(33) of 4 December 2023, which calls on Member States to refrain from any activity in closed seaports in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, and to take measures against vessels that violate the closed-port regime established by Ukraine.

As the CFTS portal reported on 20 October, the Russians have established a cargo checkpoint across the so-called “state border” in the Berdiansk seaport. The occupiers plan to complete the technical outfitting of the checkpoint in 2026.

In August, the Russian occupiers added Mariupol and Berdiansk to the list of ports open to foreign ships. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the relevant unlawful directive issued by the Russian government.