The Ministry of Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned the opening of a “checkpoint” by the invaders in Berdyansk
22.10.2025 - 10:25
Ukrainian officials have warned of risks for foreign companies after the Russians opened a so-called checkpoint in occupied Berdyansk.
The Ministry of Development, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the opening of a “sea cargo checkpoint” by the occupation authorities in the port of Berdyansk. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Development.
As stated in the joint statement of the departments, this is another attempt by Russia to legalize the illegal occupation of Ukrainian territories and consolidate control over them through the creation of fictitious legal mechanisms.
The decision to “open the port” is based on the illegal order of the Russian government of August 22, which included the cities of Berdyansk and Mariupol in the list of Russian seaports open to foreign vessels.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Development emphasized that the Russian Federation’s actions grossly violate the UN Charter, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as UN General Assembly resolutions confirming Ukraine’s sovereignty over all its territories within internationally recognized borders.
“The so-called ‘crossing point’ is a tool for legalizing the theft of Ukrainian resources: grain, coal, metal. The participation of foreign companies in such operations would mean a violation of international sanctions legislation,” the statement said.
Ukraine called on the international community to increase sanctions pressure on Russia, in particular on legal entities and individuals who will work in the ports of Berdyansk and Mariupol, as well as on vessels calling at these ports.
A separate appeal was sent to the IMO, asking it to respond in accordance with resolution A.1183(33) of December 4, 2023, which obliges member states to refrain from any activity in closed ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
“Any attempts by Russia to “open” Ukrainian ports of the Sea of Azov are null and void, do not create any legal consequences and constitute another attempt to legalize the annexation of Ukrainian territories,” the ministries concluded.
Ukraine will continue to cooperate with international partners to ensure a tough response to the illegal actions of the Russian Federation, including the introduction of additional sanctions against Russian ports involved in supporting the war.
The day before, USM wrote that Russia was preparing the occupied Berdyansk port for the export of Ukrainian grain.
