Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sibiga, met with his Panamanian counterpart, Javier Martínez-Acha, in New York. They discussed the security of maritime routes, the return of Ukrainian children whom Russia had illegally taken from Ukraine, and Moscow’s international responsibility for the crime of aggression. Kyiv emphasised the importance of practical cooperation with Panama to secure the children’s return.
Briefly about the main points
- The security of the Black Sea has been linked to global shipping routes.
- Kyiv emphasised the importance of practical cooperation with Panama to secure the return of the children.
- Russian interference with shipping poses food security risks, Sibiga said.
- Sibiga expressed the hope that Panama would consider joining the Special Tribunal.
- The ministers agreed to continue bilateral contacts.
Maritime safety is linked to routes to the Panama Canal
Siberia stated that the security of maritime routes from the Black Sea to the Panama Canal is interlinked. According to him, Russian attacks and attempts to disrupt shipping in the Black Sea pose risks to global food security.
In recent weeks, Ukraine has regularly raised the issue of civilian safety shipping at an international level. In particular, on 17 September, a Russian drone attacked a civilian vessel flying the Tanzanian flag that was heading for a Ukrainian port. The captain was killed and three other crew members were injured, according to the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine.
Kyiv is looking forward to practical cooperation to bring the children home
Ukraine considers the children referred to during the negotiations to have been unlawfully deported or displaced by Russia. Siberia thanked Panama for its support and emphasised the need for practical cooperation, in particular through international mechanisms capable of facilitating the return of children to Ukraine.
The European Court of Human Rights is examining a case concerning ten Ukrainian children who were in care homes in occupied Crimea. According to the applicants, after Russian citizenship was imposed on them, they may have been unlawfully placed for adoption.
Panama has been invited to join the Special Tribunal
The ministers also discussed Russia’s responsibility for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Sibiga expressed the hope that Panama would consider joining the Special Tribunal on this crime.
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy described accountability for aggression as a global principle, rather than merely a regional issue. Ukraine is continuing its diplomatic efforts to build international support for the tribunal; Sibiga had previously raised the issue of its establishment and launch in discussions with representatives from Latvia.
The ministers agreed to maintain the momentum of bilateral contacts
Following the talks, the parties agreed to maintain the positive momentum in bilateral relations. Sibiga also expressed his hope to welcome Panama’s Minister for Foreign Affairs to Ukraine.
Further dialogue between Kyiv and Panama should cover maritime security, the return of Ukrainian children and Russia’s international responsibility.
