EU leaders call for immediate restoration of safe navigation in Black Sea – summit conclusions
European Union leaders are calling on Russia to immediately restore safe navigation in the Black Sea and to stop using food as a weapon.
European Union heads of state are urging Russia to swiftly restore safe passage for ships in the Black Sea and cease using food as a weapon. This demand was outlined in the outcomes of the European Council summit held on October 15-16 in Brussels. EU officials pointed out that Russia is presently employing food as a weapon, jeopardizing global food security, especially in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, by targeting Ukraine's agricultural infrastructure, Black Sea and Danube ports, border checkpoints, export points, and vessels, obstructing shipping routes, and demolishing grain silos.
EU leaders declared that attacks on civilian ships, trades, and commercial vessels, including those bearing EU flags, are intolerable and represent a severe breach of international and maritime law. To prevent the situation from worsening, the European Council demands the immediate re-establishment of unobstructed passage for all civilian ships, merchant, and commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
The document also underlines the significance of reinforcing the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, which are crucial for steady grain exports, according to the report.
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