Resumption of grain exports only if additional weapons are provided

This statement was made by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey Vasily Bodnar in an interview with CNN.

“I want to express my gratitude to Turkey for its efforts in creating a safe corridor for Ukraine to export Ukrainian agricultural products by sea. However, I want to emphasize that there has not been any agreement yet. agreement between Ukraine, Turkey and Russia on this issue”Mr. Bodnar said.

The Ukrainian ambassador affirmed that it is necessary to ensure security for Ukraine to resume deliveries by sea.

These guarantees are provided through the sending of appropriate weapons to Ukraine to protect the coast from maritime threats and the involvement of third countries’ navies in the defense of the relevant areas. on the Black Sea”, Mr this added.

Russia and Ukraine are the world’s largest and fifth largest wheat exporters, respectively. These two countries supply 19% of the global supply of barley, 14% of wheat and 4% of maize, accounting for more than 30% of global cereal exports. In addition, Russia is the world’s leading fertilizer producer.

Russia’s special military campaign in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Moscow make it impossible for both countries’ agricultural products to be exported to the world market. Scarcity of supply, high oil prices push up transportation costs, leading to a sharp increase in food prices.

In response to the current situation, the United Nations is promoting negotiations to bring Russian and Ukrainian agricultural products back to the market and considers this the “only effective” solution in the current context. now.

As confirmed by UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, talks with Russia, Ukraine, the US and other relevant parties on the issue are positive and “constructive”.

During his visit to Sweden last week, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for swift and decisive action on a global scale to establish a “green corridor” for Ukraine’s grain exports, as well as secure food supply.

“We are engaged in a serious, technically well-prepared dialogue with all parties concerned to find a comprehensive agreement that will allow Ukraine to export grain in a transparent manner. safely, without undermining the country’s security through the Black Sea, and giving the world unimpeded access to Russian fertilizers and food.” Guterres affirmed.