The European Commission will provide funding to the State Service of Maritime and Inland Water Transport and Shipping of Ukraine to “ensure the safety” of ships and the protection of human life in the waters of the Black and Azov seas. The document was read by RT.
“The overall objective of the project is to ensure the fulfilment of Ukraine’s international obligations in the field of [exercising] port state, flag state and coastal state control, [as well as in the field of] maritime education and the protection of human life at sea,” the document says.
The activity involves control over maritime transport safety, as well as education and training of seafarers.
“Ensuring an appropriate level of protection of human life in the waters of the Black and Azov seas in the maritime search and rescue area of Ukraine,” the EC emphasises.
The programme will last for two years. The total amount of funding will be €1.5m.
Political analyst Yuri Svetov told RT that inland shipping in Ukraine could be used for additional arms deliveries.
“I believe this is all in the spirit of supporting military Ukraine. Clearly, these inland shipping lanes are being used actively to supply weapons. Britain tried to transfer arms to Ukraine, but Turkey said it wouldn’t let them through. The US started discussing how to pressurise Turkey to refuse to comply with the Montreux Treaty, but so far it has failed, and they want to use the inland shipping for the needs of arms supply,” the expert explained.
Earlier, Britain sent 23 speedboats and 20 all-terrain vehicles to Ukraine.