By KYIV. Nov 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine Maritime Security Strategy, which is in the process of final discussion, affects the country’s interests not only in the Azov-Black Sea region, but also in the Mediterranean region, the spokesperson of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Dmytro Pletenchuk has said.
“In general, this document affects the interests of Ukraine not only in the Azov-Black Sea region. We are also talking about the Mediterranean region. Accordingly, even about the World Ocean, where Ukraine has interests,” the spokesperson said at a briefing in Odesa on Tuesday.
As Pletenchuk said, this is Ukraine’s fundamental navigation document with the main directions of the country’s development in the maritime sector, and national legislation requires adaptation to this strategy.
“As of now, the development of Ukraine Maritime Security Strategy is underway. It is still pending approval. The National Security and Defense Council has already presented a draft document in general terms without content details,” the spokesperson said.
According to Pletenchuk, the strategy touches on many areas and concerns not only seas and rivers, but, in particular, the shelf, including gas fields, maritime borders, and port infrastructure. Thus, the document is divided into several sections, including the basics of the maritime security strategy and threats. The document provides for the protection of the country’s economic interests.
“In addition to the various areas that concern interests on the water and outlined in the strategy, the security section, of course, concerns the Naval Forces. The strategy also indicates a plan for the future development of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and accordingly the Maritime Guard of the State Border Guard Service is also mentioned,” Pletenchuk said.
In addition, the strategy talks about “the vector for the development of unmanned technologies” and providing for the scientific and industrial sectors, respectively. The document also talks about personnel training, “tightening up” the regulatory framework and adhering to international regulatory papers.
According to Pletenchuk, the strategy sets out to create platforms for interaction with the EU and NATO states. “This applies to many areas: from joint patrols to international platforms for solving humanitarian problems in the Azov-Black Sea region,” the Navy spokesperson said.
The increase in capabilities to deter the aggressor is also among the tasks.
“Development of the Navy. An important element here is that the development of the Navy with all branches and types is indicated, so that the Navy can provide all types of security, from water to the coast, air defense. All this is included in the strategy,” Pletenchuk said.
In addition, the document lays down the development of shipbuilding and related areas (repair, scientific research).
“There are also interesting facts – the creation of conditions, including in Ukrainian legislation, regarding the future placement of naval bases or military bases of foreign countries on the territory of de-occupied Crimea… This, accordingly, requires changes to the basic law of Ukraine,” Pletenchuk said.
Earlier, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov said that the draft Maritime Security Strategy “sets out an ambitious goal – to make Ukraine a maritime state.” The draft document was reviewed and adopted at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine in 2022, but due to significant changes in the situation in the Baltic-Black Sea region, the draft was withdrawn for review.
