EU Council president says resuming operations at Ukrainian ports priority

The European Union considers the resumption of operations at Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea a strategic priority, European Council President António Costa has said.

In an interview with Ukrinform, he noted that the EU has clear priorities: strengthen Ukraine’s air defences, restore navigation in the Black Sea and prepare for next winter, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

According to maritime logistics experts, systematic Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian Black Sea ports and transport vessels there have sharply reduced traffic in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, significantly complicating arms deliveries by EU and NATO countries to the conflict zone in Ukraine.

Costa, earlier, announced that the draft of the European Union’s next long-term budget proposes allocating up to €100 billion for a new cooperation program with Ukraine.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov