---
title: "Latvia refuses to send ships to the Black Sea but is ready to open ports for Ukrainian transit"
description: "Latvia has refused to send ships to the Black Sea but is ready to open its ports for Ukrainian transit. Minister Baiba Braže proposed alternative logistics routes against the backdrop of attacks on Odesa ports and the threat to food security 🚛🇺🇦"
date: 2026-08-05T12:28:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/latvia-refuses-to-send-ships-to-the-black-sea-but-is-ready-to-open-ports-for-ukrainian-transit
tags: [latvia, ukraine, black-sea, ports, maersk]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Latvia refuses to send ships to the Black Sea but is ready to open ports for Ukrainian transit

![Grain loading at the port: cranes and trucks against the backdrop of ships, illustrating the logistics of Ukrainian transit through Latvian ports](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/05/latviya-otkazalas-ot-otpravki-korabley-v-chernoe-more/latviya-otkazalas-ot-otpravki-korabley-v-chernoe-more-1.webp)

The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, has clarified the country's position on supporting Ukrainian logistics. In a comment to RBC-Ukraine, she stated that Riga does not plan to send its ships to the Black Sea to unblock Ukrainian ports. However, Latvia is ready to offer alternative solutions: opening its ports and ensuring uninterrupted rail and road transit.

### Alternative logistics instead of maritime fleet

According to the diplomat, Latvia's role in solving the port problem does not imply risking Latvian ships in dangerous waters. Instead, the country is ready to provide infrastructure for cargo transshipment and facilitate the organization of any type of land transport needed by Kyiv. Riga also intends to take a clear stance on the international stage, demanding the lifting of the blockade.

This decision becomes particularly relevant against the backdrop of the critical situation in the ports of Greater Odesa. As journalist Roman Kot reported, targeted Russian strikes have effectively paralyzed maritime transport, putting more than 60% of Ukrainian exports and import chains at risk.

### Attacks on infrastructure and threat to food security

The most severe consequences of the blockade fell on the harvest period, when a significant part of the new crop should have already been sent to world markets. The situation is exacerbated by regular attacks on civilian shipping. Thus, on July 25, Russian forces attacked port infrastructure and ships in the Odesa region. Earlier, on July 19, the bulk carrier Golden Leo was destroyed; nine foreign sailors and a Ukrainian pilot died.

The deterioration of security led to the fact that on July 22, one of the world's largest carriers, Maersk, suspended service through the Black Sea Fishery Port. Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky warned that blocking ports could lead to a sharp rise in food prices, making some food inaccessible to the poorest layers of the population.