Ukraine seeks urgent UN Security Council meeting over Russian attacks

Ukraine has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council for July 27 following Russian attacks on ships in the Black Sea, acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday.

In a statement published on X, Sybiha said at least three civilian cargo ships had been attacked recently with a “few dozen” crew members killed and injured.

“Today, zero vessels passed through Ukraine’s Black Sea maritime corridor-right at peak harvest. This is deliberate economic and humanitarian terror,” he wrote.

“Russia is holding global food security hostage.”

The international community must respond, Sybiha said.

“We urge all states, particularly those affected, to immediately demand Russia stop its attacks on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea,” he said.

“No country has the right to starve the world. Global pressure can stop Russian terror.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia must “feel growing pressure” and tougher sanctions.

“Our long-range sanctions, our mid-range strikes, and our strong positions on the front. All of this will be delivered,” he said in his nightly address.

Zelensky said he had met with US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker to discuss the Patriot air defence system.

“We need missiles to protect our people’s lives. There cannot be a shortage of ballistic missile interceptors like there is right now – these past few months have been very difficult. It is important that our partners help us,” Zelensky said.

He said he had also spoken with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about reinvigorating diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than four years.