Aug. 10 (UPI) — The Ukrainian navy on Thursday announced the creation of a new trade corridor for vessels exiting Ukrainian ports.
The navy said the new temporary routes will primarily be used for civilian vessels to exit from the ports of Chernomorsk, Odesa and Pivdennyi.
It warned, however, that “a military threat and mortal danger from the Russian Federation” remained after Moscow withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17.
The initiative allowed Ukrainian and Russian agricultural products via the Black Sea with Turkey acting as guarantor.
“We remind you that the last ship with Ukrainian food left the port of Odessa July 16. After Russia’s exit from the grain infrastructure in order to stop access of Ukrainian food to world markets. World leaders, including African countries, urged Russia to stop blackmailing the food and not to interfere with Ukrainian agroexport,” the navy said.
Russia’s withdrawal from the initiative was followed by a sustained series of attacks against Ukrainian ports and grain facilities. In July, an attack on the Chornomorsk port destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukrainian officials.
Turkish President Recap Tayyip Erdogan plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in August, according to the Russian state-backed TASS News agency.
“Obviously, one of the main issues during the Russian president’s potential visit will be the revival of the grain deal. Progress in this area will make it possible to prevent further growth of grain prices after the suspension of implementation of the Istanbul agreements,” Tass quoted a diplomatic source as saying.
“The current situation affects the countries most in need of agricultural products, and this problem should be solved in parallel with Russia’s questions to the parties to the deal,” the source said.
