Image: Pixabay
The food security of millions of people is at stake as more than 20 million tons of grain are in Ukrainian silos in the Black Sea port of Odesa and ships are stranded due to the Russian blockade that began with the invasion of Ukraine in February, 24. Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements on July 22 with Turkey and the UN, opening the way for Ukraine to export grain and other agricultural products, while allowing Russia to export grain and fertilizers.
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“The first grain ship since Russian aggression has left port,” Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Twitter, posting a video of the long ship blowing its horn as it slowly headed out to sea. Posting separately on Facebook, Kubrakov said Ukraine is the fourth largest exporter of corn in the world, “so the possibility of exporting it through ports is a colossal success in ensuring global food security.”
In Moscow, according to the Associated Press, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the ship's departure as “very positive,” saying it would help test the “efficiency of the mechanisms that were agreed upon during the negotiations in Istanbul.” . Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the Razoni is expected to dock on August 2 in Istanbul at the entrance to the Bosphorus, where joint teams of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and UN officials will embark for inspections.
By: Leonardo Gottems | agrolink
