Ukraine expects Türkiye to snub Russia’s grain deal offer

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a comment in connection with the latest reports on Russia’s attempts to regulate the export of grain in the Black Sea without resuming the export of Ukrainian grain from Ukrainian ports.

That’s according to MFA’s press service, Ukrinform reports.

“After withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the Russian Federation began systematically destroying the infrastructure of Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities with missile strikes. Such actions were aimed at making it impossible to further export Ukrainian grains by sea, reduce supply on global markets, and raise food prices for their own benefit. At the same time, in flagrant violation of international law, the Russian army continues to obstruct navigation in the Black Sea,” the comment reads.

Considering the possibility of Russia supporting grain exports in the Black Sea without resuming Ukrainian grain exports from Ukrainian ports would “deal a serious blow to international obligations and international law, encourage Moscow to further aggressive actions, and increase its sense of impunity.”

As one of the guarantors of global food security, Ukraine is interested in restoring the Black Sea Grain Initiative in order to continue exporting Ukrainian agricultural products to foreign markets, particularly Africa and Asia, the ministry reiterated, noting that diplomats are also actively working on the launch of alternative routes.

“The Black Sea must remain open for free and safe trade,” MFA Ukraine stressed.

“In this context, we expect that Türkiye, which has repeatedly affirmed its inviolable position regarding the preservation and strict observance of the norms of international law, as well as other involved parties, will use their authority to prevent Russia's attempts to again violate international obligations and blackmail the world with new food crises,” the comment concludes.

As reported earlier, The Telegraph wrote that Russia was offering Türkiye and Qatar a grain export scheme that excluded Ukraine.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on September 4 in the city of Sochi. It is expected that the main topic of Erdogan's talks with Putin will be the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which the Russian Federation derailed last month.

Photo: Agriculture Ministry