Romania plans to accelerate transit of Ukrainian grain through Danube

Romanian authorities plan to rapidly expand one of the key grain transit routes from Ukraine as Russia's increased attacks in the Black Sea increase risks to global food trade.

According to Ukrinform, Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita-Teodora Odobescu said this in an interview with Bloomberg.

Romania is in close contact with Ukraine to determine the best options for increasing and accelerating grain transit. The security situation is certainly not easy, but we are very committed to continuing to help Ukraine, she said.

According to Odobescu, Romania could open new checkpoints with Ukraine, increase staff at existing checkpoints, and engage former maritime pilots and military maritime pilots to speed up the transit of ships through the Danube Canal.

It is noted that Romania has already facilitated the transit of over 20 million tonnes of grain from Ukraine, about half of the 41 million tonnes sent through the EU's solidarity lanes since Russian invasion.

As Ukrinform reported, John Kirby, U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, said the United States is not currently discussing with its allies the possible escort of Ukrainian grain ships in the Black Sea.