HAGUE, Netherland: Russia and Ukraine faced off at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, disputing access to coastal waters surrounding Crimea.
Ukraine, represented by Anton Korynevych, accused Russia of violating international maritime laws by restricting access to the Kerch Strait, the Sea of Azov, and parts of the Black Sea after annexing Crimea.
Korynevych argued that Russia obstructed international shipping and used the Kerch Bridge, built to connect Crimea to the Russian mainland, as a tool for these violations.
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Russia’s representative, Gennady Kuzmin, countered that Ukraine’s claims were baseless, asserting that the waters around Crimea were internal and thus exempt from international maritime law.
Kuzmin also defended the construction of the Kerch Bridge, stating it was a response to Ukrainian “blockades” and did not impede shipping.
The case, initially filed by Ukraine in 2016, seeks to affirm its rights as a coastal state, while Russia disputes the court’s jurisdiction, claiming the issue concerns Crimea’s sovereignty. The hearings will continue until October 5, with a final decision expected after several months.
