Ursula Von der Leyen: I strongly condemn Russia’s cancellation of the Black Sea grain agreement

By: STA Date: 2023. 07. 17. 09:30

I strongly condemn Russia’s cynical move to terminate the Black Sea grain initiative despite the efforts of the UN and Turkey, wrote Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in a Twitter post on Monday.

(Photo: Pixabay)

The Kremlin announced on Monday that it would not renew the Russian-Ukrainian grain deal on the Black Sea that expires at midnight, adding that Moscow was ready to immediately return to the deal if its conditions were met. Von der Leyen wrote in her post: EU is working to ensure food security for the world’s vulnerable people, and will continue to deliver agri-food products from Ukraine to global markets with the help of solidarity bands.

It functioned as a corridor of solidarity

The agreement, signed in Istanbul in July 2022 and renewed twice, allowed Ukraine to export its grain through the Black Sea despite the Russian blockade. Last year, nearly 33 million tons of grain left Ukrainian ports. Moscow claims that it faces obstacles in its own food and fertilizer deliveries, which are also part of the agreement. At the same time, he claimed that the stated goal of the agreement, which enables the delivery of cereals to needy countries, is not being realized.

MTI

Related news