Moscow at the tribunal for the law of the sea in The Hague in the case “Ukraine vs Russia” wants to achieve a delay and closure of the process. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Elena Zerkal, who represents the interests of Ukraine in the UN International Court of Justice and in the Arbitration Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, announced this on Facebook.
“We insist that the case is urgent, because despite the fact that the Russian Federation released our sailors in September, criminal proceedings against them continue. That is, they continue to deny the immunity of Ukrainian sailors. Three days ago, almost a year later after they were hijacked on November 25, 2018, the Russian Federation freed our ships by seizing weapons, communication equipment and documents from them. Thus, the Russian Federation continues to violate the order of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea of May 25, 2019 and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea “, – Zerkal noted.
The Russian Federation is trying to gain as much time to consider this case as in the case of violation of the rights of the coastal state in the Black and Azov Seas and in the Kerch Strait. In addition, Russia seeks to make the hearings as close as possible, the diplomat said.
On November 21, an exchange of positions and arguments between Ukraine and the Russian Federation took place, but agreement was not reached.
On November 22, the Arbitration Court shall adopt the rules of procedure for its activities, taking into account previous hearings and its own understanding.
As we reported, The vessels that Russia returned to Ukraine after capturing them in the Kerch Strait in 2018 are completely damaged, are not capable of going on their own, and even the ceiling lights, electric connectors and toilets inside were deinstalled by the Russians.
