A threat once viewed as national is now exposing vulnerabilities across connected ports, trade routes and grain export networks throughout the region.
Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania should coordinate their efforts more actively to protect shipping in the Black Sea and on the Danube. Russian attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure pose risks not only to Ukraine, but also to logistics, trade, and security across the entire Black Sea-Danube region.
This position was expressed by Rosian Vasiloi, a regional security and national security and defense policy expert and former head of the General Inspectorate of the Border Police of the Republic of Moldova, during the roundtable discussion “Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Maritime Corridor: A Threat to International Security and Freedom of Navigation.”
In my view, today we must move away from the approach under which the aggressor’s attacks on Ukraine and the Black Sea maritime corridor are seen solely as Ukraine’s problem. This is not only about Ukraine; it is about all of us. It concerns the security of civilian shipping, critical infrastructure, freedom of trade, and the resilience of the entire logistics system in the Black Sea and Danube region.
– Rosian Vasiloi
Danube Security Requires Joint Solutions
Rosian Vasiloi drew attention to the importance of Ukraine’s Danube ports, which are regularly subjected to Russian strikes. In his view, under such conditions, transport routes through Moldova are becoming strategically important not only for the economy but also for regional security.
The expert stressed that the security situation in Ukraine’s ports on the Black Sea and the Danube should be assessed in conjunction with the development of the ports of Giurgiulești, Galați, and Constanța. Disruptions to any of these routes could affect transportation and the stability of logistics chains across several countries.
Sharing Information on Threats to Shipping
To strengthen shipping security, Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania need to establish a continuous exchange of information on threats to vessels and port infrastructure. Vasiloi also believes that the countries should develop coordinated response mechanisms for cross-border incidents.
The Danube is a shared transport artery for the countries of the region, so cooperation should focus not only on responding after a threat emerges, but also on early risk detection and prevention.
Russian Blockade Affects Grain Exports
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine is seeking ways to restore exports of agricultural products amid Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea maritime corridor. The Ukrainian side has also called on its partners to increase pressure on Russia.
Due to the blockade of the ports of Greater Odesa, Ukraine exported around 590,000 tonnes of grain between August 1 and 12. This amounted to approximately 30% of the required export volume, underscoring the critical importance of the safe operation of maritime and Danube routes.