Russia declared the opening of ports in Berdiansk and Mariupol: reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Russia adds Berdiansk and Mariupol to its list of seaports

According to FREEДOM: Russia has included Berdiansk and Mariupol in its list of seaports. With this step, the aggressor country is trying to legislatively approve the occupation of Ukrainian territories. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sharply condemned the decision to open these ports to foreign vessels and called on its partners from other countries to take strict measures against individuals conducting commercial activities there.

“This step is a blatant violation of international law. Control over navigation in the territorial waters of Ukraine is solely within Ukraine's competence. We call on our partners to impose additional sanctions against Russian citizens, companies, and foreign firms that engage in commercial activities in the ports of Berdiansk and Mariupol,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated.

Including Ukrainian cities in its seaports will allow the occupiers to more actively export goods produced in Donbas and the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia region.

The port of Mariupol specializes in the export of metal, coal, and grain, the Transport Strategies Center reported.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry reacted sharply to the Russian announcement about the 'opening' of ports in the already occupied Berdiansk and Mariupol.

The provided news describes how Russia included the Ukrainian cities of Berdiansk and Mariupol in its list of seaports, which is an attempt to legitimize the occupation of these territories. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned this step and called on partners to impose sanctions against individuals involved in commercial activities in these ports. By adding these cities to its ports, Russia will increase the possibility of exporting products from the occupied territories.