Ukrainian diplomat: Kerch Bridge must cease to exist for maritime freedom
Ukraine's Anton Korynevych presents arguments for the demolition of the Kerch Bridge, citing violations of freedom of navigation, environmental impacts, and cultural heritage concerns.
Recently, Ukraine has called for the demolition of Russia’s Kerch Bridge in a case against Russia at the International Tribunal in The Hague, citing violations of maritime law and environmental concerns. A Ukrainian diplomat provided remarks on the case to Ukrinform.
Anton Korynevych, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, emphasized the necessity for the Kerch Bridge to “cease to exist” in a comment to Ukrinform on 6 October. He stated,
“The demand for the demolition of the so-called Kerch Bridge is absolutely logical, because this is an obstacle to freedom of navigation that continues.”
Korynevych argued that the bridge would continue to harm and violate freedom of navigation even after Ukrainian ports in Mariupol and Berdiansk are liberated. He asserted,
“There is no other way to restore freedom of navigation in these waters. The bridge must cease to exist – this is a fact.”
The Ukrainian diplomat also highlighted additional concerns, noting that the bridge “contributes to negative environmental impacts and improper maintenance and inadequate compliance with the provisions on the protection of cultural property, in particular, underwater cultural heritage.” He warned that these environmental consequences could manifest in the coming decades.
Ukraine calls for dismantling of Russia’s Crimean bridge in international tribunal
The Kerch bridge case
The case is part of Ukraine’s claim against Russia for violating the rights of a coastal state under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Oral hearings on the merits of the case concluded in the Peace Palace in The Hague, with Ukraine presenting its closing argument on 3 October, followed by Russia on 5 October.
The dispute dates back to May 2017 when the first meeting of the tribunal under UNCLOS was held. Ukraine submitted its memorandum of evidence to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on 19 February 2018, alleging that Russia violates Ukraine’s sovereign rights in the Black and Azov Seas and the Kerch Strait.
As the tribunal prepares to make its decision, Korynevych expressed hope that it would hear Ukraine’s arguments.
Related:
- Ukraine calls for dismantling of Russia’s Crimean bridge in international tribunal
- Hague tribunal begins hearings on Ukraine’s Black and Azov seas dispute with Russia
- RFE/RL: Russia ramps up Kerch Bridge protection with massive concrete piles
- Ukraine forces Russian fleet out of Crimea, but recapturing peninsula remains daunting task, experts say
- ISW: Russia began transporting fuel across the railway of the Kerch bridge again
