President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in a conference on unblocking the Strait of Hormuz, organized by France and the United Kingdom.
The Public was informed about this at the Elysee Palace.
Zelensky participated via video link and was one of 32 heads of state who participated in the meeting. Another 18 countries were represented at the ministerial level.
A conference on maritime shipping initiatives in the Strait of Hormuz was held in Paris in an online format. It was attended by about 50 countries and international organizations.
French President Emmanuel Macron, following the conference, announced that all participating countries demand the immediate, full and unconditional opening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties.
“We demand the restoration of the conditions of free navigation that existed before the war and full respect for maritime law. We are all against any restrictions, any regime of agreements that are effectively tantamount to an attempt to privatize the strait, and, of course, against any system of tolls,” Macron said.
He welcomed Iran's decision to unblock the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but stressed that the US continues to block the strait.
“We support the initiatives of the International Maritime Organization to provide assistance to those who are trapped. And to this end, we will strengthen and accelerate the planning work that we have already begun in coordination with the United Kingdom to create a neutral mission, not linked to the warring parties, to accompany and ensure the safety of merchant ships sailing in the Persian Gulf,” Macron said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the mission and said that other countries had “already expressed their willingness” to join the mission.
It was previously reported that Iran had unblocked the Strait of Hormuz for the duration of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, which was adopted on April 16.
US President Trump announced that the US Navy's naval blockade of the strait will continue, as the blockade is related to the war the US is waging against Iran.