19 countries have already joined the Maritime Coalition, — Neizhpapa

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, held a meeting with allies on the anniversary of the creation of the Maritime Coalition.

An online meeting was held with representatives of the participating countries of the Maritime Capabilities Coalition on the occasion of the anniversary of its creation, the Ukrainian Navy reported.

The Commander of the Ukrainian Navy expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom and Norway for their initiative, determination, and leadership in forming and coordinating the work of the Coalition, as well as to all the states that joined this initiative.

According to Oleksiy Neizhpapa, today the Coalition includes 19 countries, 12 of which have already signed the accession document.

The Maritime Coalition is a unique multifunctional and multi-domain project with a clear roadmap until 2035.

“Despite the fact that a year is a relatively short period, we have managed to achieve significant results. We have maintained the safety of shipping in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, forced the enemy to leave the bays of Sevastopol, complicated his actions in the Sea of ​​Azov, and restored the export of Ukrainian products by sea,” the vice admiral noted.

At the same time, the enemy does not abandon attempts to disrupt shipping from Ukrainian ports, and his main goal is to deprive Ukraine of access to the sea.

Neizhpapa appealed to partners to redouble their efforts and accelerate the formation of the necessary capabilities, especially strike capabilities, and port protection.

The receipt of the next assistance packages during 2024-2025 is already planned to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and effectively counter the aggressor.

The partners expressed full support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom and assured their readiness to continue to increase cooperation within the Maritime Coalition.

Thus, the participants were addressed by the First Sea Lord of Great Britain, Admiral Sir Ben Key, the Commander of the Royal Norwegian Navy, Rear Admiral Oliver Berdal, the Commander of the Romanian Navy, Vice Admiral Mihai Panait, as well as the Co-Chairs of the Coalition – Commodore of the Royal Navy of Great Britain, Stephen Banfield, and Commodore of the Royal Norwegian Navy, Thomas Anderson.

Earlier, USM reported that naval drones of the Ukrainian Navy carried out strikes on Russian targets in Crimea.