On Friday, April 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his upcoming participation in a high-level international video conference aimed at restoring and protecting the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Head of State announced this strategic diplomatic engagement in a video address published on his official Telegram channel. This event highlights Ukraine’s evolving role not just as a nation defending its sovereignty, but as an active participant in addressing critical global security crises.
The international conference, jointly hosted in Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aims to coordinate the efforts of global leaders to guarantee stability in one of the world’s most vital maritime choke points. The Strait of Hormuz is essential for the global economy, serving as the primary transit route for a significant portion of the world’s energy supplies. Any disruption in this region threatens to trigger a severe energy crisis worldwide.
In his address, President Zelensky drew a direct and striking parallel between the current tensions in the Middle East and the situation Ukraine faced in the Black Sea. “Now the world knows exactly where this strait is and why it’s so important. And about this strait, they are repeating almost the exact same thing we said about the Black Sea in 2022-2023 when the Russians tried to block it”, the Ukrainian leader noted. He emphasized that Ukraine successfully solved the complex task of lifting the naval blockade, securing a viable maritime corridor for essential exports despite the constant threat from the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Ukraine’s experience in countering asymmetric naval warfare and protecting civil shipping is highly relevant to the international community. By utilizing innovative defense strategies, including unmanned maritime drones, Ukraine managed to neutralize a significant portion of the enemy’s maritime advantage, ensuring the safety of global food supply chains. This unique expertise provides valuable insights for safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz and protecting civilian vessels from state and non-state actors alike.
The backdrop to this diplomatic initiative includes recent regional developments. Earlier on Friday, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a move tied to a new ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. However, Western powers understand that global freedom of navigation cannot rely on temporary political maneuvers or the goodwill of authoritarian regimes. Continuous, coordinated international mechanisms are required to ensure permanent maritime security.
Zelensky stressed that the international community recognizes maritime safety as an indispensable global value rather than an isolated regional issue. “Security must be defended jointly. We hope that partners’ conclusions regarding all current challenges will be strong,” the President underscored. The ability to protect international waters is foundational to global economic stability, and the lessons learned in the Black Sea are now serving as a blueprint for maintaining order and deterring aggression in other critical waterways around the globe. Ukraine stands ready to share its unprecedented experience and continue its fight for shared democratic and security values on the global stage.