Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "As part of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the United Kingdom, I was pleased to meet with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. 

I thanked the Secretary-General for his attention to Ukraine and for the IMO’s continued engagement on maritime issues of importance to our country. 

I am grateful to the Secretary-General for his condolences following Russia’s June 6th attacks on clearly marked Ukrainian search and rescue boats, as well as on merchant vessels. 

During the meeting, we discussed the deteriorating maritime security situation, including Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian ports, civilian vessels, and search and rescue boats. 

We also stressed the need to uphold freedom and safety of navigation everywhere. We also spoke about the practical instruments available within the IMO to address these threats, including Russia’s shadow fleet, fraudulent registration, illegal shipping practices, and the risks linked to vessels entering closed Ukrainian ports. 

I stressed the importance of preventing seafarers from being drawn into such dangerous and unlawful voyages. 

I also highlighted the importance of the “IMO for Ukraine” technical assistance project, which has now entered the practical phase of implementation and will provide targeted support for the resilience and safety of Ukraine’s maritime sector. 

I invited the Secretary-General to return to Ukraine and to see firsthand the consequences of Russia’s attacks on our ports, maritime infrastructure, and civilian shipping. 

I also highlighted the importance of the “IMO for Ukraine” technical assistance project, which has now entered the practical phase of implementation and will provide targeted support for the resilience and safety of Ukraine’s maritime sector. 

I invited the Secretary-General to return to Ukraine and to see firsthand the consequences of Russia’s attacks on our ports, maritime infrastructure, and civilian shipping".