Ukraine May Increase Pressure On Russia In Another Interesting Way
- 24.05.2025, 16:49
The High Seas Agreement is not just about ocean-going countries.
In 2023, the UN adopted the High Seas Agreement - a treaty on the rational use of biodiversity in areas of the oceans beyond the national jurisdiction of countries. For Ukraine its signing can be useful for several reasons, writes The Telegraph.
The Agreement provides for the introduction of legal instruments for the creation of marine protected areas, assessment of environmental impact and equitable access to genetic resources of the ocean. Scientists and the public believe that Ukraine should sign the Agreement, because participation in it is not only a demonstration of Kiev's pro-European position, but also an opportunity to limit Russia's activities (and reduce its considerable income), for example, deep in the Arctic, which is especially important in times of war.
The Agreement on the High Seas concerns not only countries with access to the ocean. For Ukraine, first of all, it is an instrument of influence in the international arena on the states (for example, on Russia) planning to maximize the use of the high seas resources.
Russia refused to ratify the treaty and even tried to weaken it during its drafting, while all EU countries signed. And France and Spain have already ratified it. Therefore, for Ukraine the signing of the Agreement is extremely important.
"It is in Russia's interest to maximize the use of the high seas and its resources for extensive economic enrichment, in particular through resource development and transportation routes. In the conditions of war, reducing Russia's sources of funding is very important, because as a state we must use all opportunities to economically contain the aggressor," says Greenpeace Ukraine Director Natalya Goza.
The signing by Ukraine will also be a sign to European allies that despite a full-scale war our state is committed to climate and biodiversity protection and to the surrounding priorities of Europe. The signing of the Agreement is in line with the objectives of the Convention on Biodiversity for the Protection of Oceans and Seas until 2030, the Convention on Migratory Species and the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the implementation of which Ukraine continues to support.
At the same time, participation in the Agreement will strengthen Ukraine's role in the Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is necessary to counter Russian ambitions in maritime disputes over the rights to the temporarily occupied by Russia waters of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
"There are no disadvantages for Ukraine from participation in the Agreement. And there are enough advantages. If we do not join the Agreement, we will miss the opportunity to participate in the formation of international maritime policy, which will affect our national interests. By ignoring the Agreement, we will worsen relations with our allies. It's a matter of time, the specialized ministries must do their best!" - explained Sergei Hara, an ecologist of Greenpeace Ukraine.