Russia blocks about 50 ships with Ukrainian grain in Black Sea – Borrell

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell wrote this on Twitter, Ukrinform says.

“The consequences of the war affect us all. Russia is once again blocking 50 ships with urgently needed grain in the Black Sea. The EU supports UN efforts and will continue facilitating exports through the EU Solidarity Lanes, which have brought 25bn tonnes of grain to the world,” Borrell stated.

For her part, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink accused Russia of trying to stifle the Ukrainian economy and slow down the flow of food instead of complying with the terms of the grain corridor.

"Now more than 50 ships are waiting in the Bosphorus for permission to sail to Ukrainian ports and load grain to feed those in need. Russia is trying to strangle the Ukrainian economy and slow the flow of food instead of honoring the terms of the agreement," the ambassador wrote on Twitter.

The U.S. diplomat added that last month, life-saving wheat was shipped to Yemen, a shipment funded by USAID, Spain, and France, in support of President Zelensky's Grain from Ukraine initiative.

"This grain will help feed 4 million people, demonstrating how the Black Sea Grain Initiative enables Ukrainian farmers to feed the world," Brink emphasized.

As Ukrinform reported, on April 17, 2023, Russia blocked for the second time the inspection of ships in Turkish territorial waters sailing through the grain corridor.

On March 18, 2023, Ukraine, the United Nations, and Turkey agreed to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative for 120 days.