Zelensky: Black Sea grain corridor can operate without Russia’s participation

Making statements on withdrawal from the grain deal, Russia breaks its agreements with Türkiye and the UN. Ukraine does not have any agreements with the Russian Federation.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this in an interview with African media, quotes from which were published by President’s press secretary Serhiy Nykyforov on Facebook.

"We had two agreements: Ukraine, Türkiye, UN, and another agreement – Russia, Türkiye, UN. Therefore, when Russia says that it stops [its participation in the grain deal], it breaks its agreements with UN Secretary-General Guterres and President Erdoğan. Not with us. We did not have any agreements with them," Zelensky said.

The President also ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the official signal of the Russian Federation, to prepare Ukrainian official signals to the United Nations and to Türkiye so that they answer whether they are ready to continue the grain initiative.

At the same time, he noted that the Black Sea grain corridor can operate even without the participation of the Russians in the agreements.

"Even without the Russian Federation, everything must be done so that we can use this Black Sea corridor. We are not afraid. The companies that own ships addressed us. They say that they are ready, if Ukraine allows them to go and Türkiye allows them to pass, then everyone is ready to continue supplying grain," press secretary Serhiy Nykyforov quotes Zelensky as saying.

Nykyforov also noted that the full interview of the Head of State would be published later.

As reported, Russia announced the termination of the extension of the grain deal.

The agreements were concluded on July 22, 2022 in Istanbul for 120 days and were extended several times.