Ukraine intends to strengthen alternative sea route for grain exports, – Kuleba

Ukraine intends to strengthen the alternative sea route for grain exports, which has already seen two ships leave Ukrainian ports. This was stated by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at a joint briefing with his French counterpart Catherine Colon in Paris.

“Of course, after Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukrainian farmers and consumers or buyers of bread in Africa and Asia, that is, in countries where it is needed most, suffered the most. These are the biggest victims of Russian grain blackmail and Russian hunger games,” Kuleba said.

The minister emphasized that Ukraine is interested in restoring the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

“But we, as a country, have also demonstrated that there is an alternative to the agreements with Russia. There is a safe sea route, which has already been used by two ships from Ukrainian ports, and this route will not be a “hostage” to Russian blackmail. It can be developed and strengthened. In particular, we discussed how this route can be further developed,” Kuleba said.

As a reminder, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis called on Russia to extend the Black Sea grain deal.

Earlier, James O’Brien, head of the U.S. Sanctions Coordination Office, said that the United States sees viable routes for Ukrainian grain exports through territorial waters and by land after Russia’s withdrawal from the grain deal.

The United States is also negotiating with Turkey, Ukraine, and Kyiv’s neighbors on alternative routes for Ukrainian grain exports.

Tags: Ukraine, export, grain, Black Sea grain corridor