Ukrainian, French foreign ministers discuss steps to ensure global food security

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna have condemned Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and discussed global food security.

The Ukrainian foreign policy chief said this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"During our meeting in New York, Catherina Colonna and I condemned Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Russia created this crisis by blocking Ukrainian seaports and now it continues to blackmail the world. We discussed steps to ensure global food security," the minister said.

Russia on Monday notified Turkey, Ukraine and the UN of its objection to extend the Black Sea grain deal and de facto terminated its effect.

The last ship to travel under a UN-brokered deal that allows the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain left the port of Odesa early on Sunday, July 16.

The Black Sea grain deal was signed in July 2022. Two documents were signed for this purpose: one with the participation of the UN, Türkiye, and Ukraine, and a separate one by the UN, Türkiye, and Russia.