Today, high-level representatives from Ukraine, Romania, Moldova and the European Commission discussed security threats to commercial navigation in the Black Sea and the Danube, following the intensification of unjustified attacks on civilian ships by Russian forces.
The meeting took place as part of the ongoing implementation of the Solidarity Lanes Action Plan. It confirmed that the four parties – together known as the ‘Quad’ – remain very much committed to supporting Ukraine’s access to world markets through enhanced cooperation along the Danube corridor. The Quad firmly condemned Russia’s attacks against ships and port infrastructure, which has caused the disruption of traffic in Black Sea ports, and puts at risk the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. All four parties stand ready to implement additional, alternative routes to limit the impacts on Ukraine’s exports and imports.
Today’s meeting was held in the context of the Solidarity Lanes, a cooperative initiative that has established new transport routes for Ukraine’s exports and imports. To date, the Solidarity Lanes have helped Ukraine export around 226 million tonnes of goods, such as grain, ore and steel, and import around 108 million tonnes of essential merchandise, including fuel, vehicles, fertiliser as well as military and humanitarian assistance. The Solidarity Lanes pass through the Danube region, Poland, the Baltics, and the Adriatic region, via rail, road and inland waterways.
