The Ukrainian government has taken a decisive step toward revising its border cooperation framework with Russia. In a Telegram update, Taras Melnichuk, acting as the government representative in the Verkhovna Rada, stated that the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a draft law aimed at withdrawing Ukraine from the bilateral agreement with the Russian Federation on joint border control. The proposal seeks to terminate the existing arrangement on cooperation in monitoring people, vehicles, and goods along the Ukraine-Russia border, signaling a shift in how Kyiv plans to manage its external frontier and security posture in light of current regional dynamics. This move is presented as part of a broader effort to reassess security and sovereignty arrangements in response to ongoing tensions and challenges in the region, with official communications emphasizing a return to more autonomous border management practices. The government asserts that the draft law aligns with Ukraine’s strategic priorities for national security, border integrity, and the protection of its territorial waters and land frontiers. It is also described as a legal instrument that would formalize Kyiv’s stance on border governance and reduce reliance on cooperative mechanisms that require mutual political will. For observers, the step underscores a pivot toward strengthening national authorities over border operations and providing clearer accountability when coordinating cross border activities with neighboring states. These developments are tracked as part of Kyiv’s routine legislative process and are reported in line with constitutional procedures and parliamentary norms across the executive branch. [citation: Ukrainian government press service]
In related disclosures, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a deputy in the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that the body has taken formal action connected to maritime cooperation with Russia. The discussions focused on the termination of all agreements that enable joint oversight and governance of activities in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, areas that have long been at the center of strategic and security considerations for Ukraine. A roll call on February 24 indicated broad parliamentary support for ending the agreement on cooperation with the Russian Federation in the management of Sea of Azov operations and related maritime procedures. The vote reflected a clear parliamentary consensus that the existing framework would not be renewed or extended, reinforcing Ukraine’s intent to pursue independent maritime governance in sensitive border zones. The decision is consistent with Ukraine’s broader policy direction toward strengthening sovereignty over adjacent waters and ensuring that border control processes are conducted under the exclusive authority of Ukrainian institutions. [citation: Verkhovna Rada records]
Parallel measures also saw deputies approving Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Maritime Cooperation Group agreement. This step forms part of a wider reconfiguration of Ukraine’s regional maritime governance architecture, with the aim of reducing external dependencies and enhancing Kyiv’s capacity to respond to security threats at sea. Supporters of the move argue that it enables Ukraine to align its maritime practices with national security imperatives, improve surveillance and interdiction capabilities, and ensure consistent legal frameworks for border enforcement and customs controls along the Black Sea corridor. Critics caution that such withdrawals could affect regional coordination on search and rescue, environmental protection, and disaster response, underscoring the need for careful handling of international maritime issues to avoid gaps in cooperation. The government maintains that the changes are being pursued through established constitutional channels and that all affected parties will continue to engage through formal, transparent processes to preserve regional stability and lawful conduct at sea. [citation: Ministry of Infrastructure and Security Briefing]