Ukraine's foreign minister condemns Russian strike on tanker off Romania's coast, calls for increased pressure on Russia

Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has condemned a Russian strike on a civilian tanker en route to a Ukrainian port and thanked Romania for swiftly rescuing the crew.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Sybiha said the Russian strike on the LNG tanker Gas Lisbon, which was heading to a Ukrainian port, is another manifestation of Russia's terrorist actions that shows the Kremlin's disregard for international maritime law.

"We are grateful to Romania for its swift rescue efforts, steadfast solidarity with Ukraine, and clear understanding that Russia's reckless actions threaten the security of the entire Black Sea region. Ukraine remains committed to deepening cooperation with Romania and all our partners to strengthen Black Sea security," he noted.

"The response must match the scale of the threat. Stronger sanctions. Greater pressure on Russia. Full accountability for every act of aggression. The aggressor must be compelled to end its war," the Ukrainian foreign minister added.

Background:

• On 21 July, Romania's president reported that a Liberia-flagged tanker had been struck off the country's coast. The vessel was travelling from Alexandria, Egypt, to the Ukrainian port of Reni on the Danube. Romanian rescue workers evacuated the entire crew, with some sailors injured.
• On 19 July, Russian forces carried out a missile strike on the merchant vessel Golden Leo, sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau, in the Black Sea off the coast of Odesa. The vessel was carrying a cargo of grain.
• The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority later reported that 10 people had been killed as a result of the Russian strike on the merchant vessel near Odesa.

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