The Ukrainian president announced on Saturday that he had a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about “future steps” to unblock the Black Sea corridor for grain exports.
“We identified with Mr. Stoltenberg the priority and future steps needed for the unblocking and sustainable operation of the Black Sea grain corridor,” Volodymir Zelensky said on the social network Twitter.
According to Ukraine’s president, the call also served to assess “the current situation in the Black Sea and the risks it poses to world food security,” and to discuss “actions related to Ukraine’s integration into NATO.”
On Monday, Russia announced that it would suspend the agreement on the export of grains via the Black Sea from Ukrainian ports, arguing that commitments on the Russian side were not fulfilled.
Several countries and international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union (EU), condemned Moscow’s decision, deplored Russia’s withdrawal in light of the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and warned of the dire consequences for countries that have difficulty accessing food.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, agreed a year ago by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations, allowed the export of nearly 33 million tons of food from three ports in southern Ukraine, which is considered critical to lowering the world prices and safety. most unprotected countries.
The Russian authorities said they will only return to the protocol if their conditions are met, namely trade in their own agricultural products, which they say is hampered by Western sanctions.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24 last year, plunged Europe into what is considered the most serious security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
Source: DN
