On International Black Sea Day, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga stressed the importance of drawing attention to the catastrophic consequences of Russia's aggressive war on the sea. 30 years ago six Black Sea countries united to protect the sea from pollution and ecological destruction. Since 2014, Putin's imperial ambitions have made Russia the biggest threat to the Black Sea, turning its waters into a battlefield and a source of pollution, destruction and danger to the entire region. Russia's occupation and militarization of Crimea, mining of shipping lanes, as well as repeated attacks on Ukrainian ports and coastal infrastructure have caused severe damage to the Black Sea. Moscow has made the sea increasingly dangerous for every coastal state, threatening marine ecosystems, freedom of navigation, international trade and global food security. The ecological consequences of Russian aggression will be felt long after the fighting is over. No Black Sea country can insulate itself from this damage, and the longer Russia continues its war, the higher the price the entire region will pay. "It is particularly outrageous that Russia - the country responsible for this destruction - tried to lead the Black Sea Commission. Earlier this week, Ukraine blocked that attempt. It is impossible to trust a country that systematically undermines the protection of the Black Sea to lead the body responsible for its preservation. I call on all the Black Sea countries to show more determination in opposing Russia's actions and to demand responsibility for the damage it has caused. We all share the consequences of this aggression. The region needs to act now, and not spend decades to eliminate the consequences of the destruction, which can still be prevented," said Andrey Sibiga.