Ukraine proposes new shipping route after Russia pulls out of grain deal
(Baonghean.vn)- The Ukrainian government is considering a new route for transporting grain through the territorial waters of Bulgaria and Romania under the trilateral grain initiative, Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara Vasily Bodnar said.
"Türkiye is trying to find a golden middle ground and minimize risks. On our part, we have created a guarantee fund and can attract companies to provide grain transport vessels. In our opinion, this can be done even without using the previously agreed route, but through the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria," Bodnar said on television.
According to him, this option is considered "possible". At the same time, he added that in this case the international community must take responsibility for ensuring that Ukraine implements "such a scenario", and on the other hand, it is necessary to "put pressure on Russia". The ambassador added that the Kiev authorities are trying to solve the problem of the grain market, they are lobbying for this at international forums. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba is currently working at the United Nations to seek "international consensus" on continuing the grain initiative, he added.
On Monday, Russia notified Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations of its opposition to extending the grain deal. This means that Russia no longer has any responsibility for ensuring the safety of navigation and abolished the humanitarian corridor in the northwestern Black Sea. Corresponding to this decision, a temporary dangerous regime for shipping is being restored in the region.
US State Department spokesman Mathew Miller confirmed on July 18 that Washington is discussing with Kiev a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to extend the grain deal without Russia's participation.
“President Zelensky has sent a proposal to the United Nations, we are talking to our Ukrainian colleagues and we will do everything we can to help Ukraine find a solution to restore grain supplies,” Miller said. The US and its allies, including EU member states, are discussing other ideas for Ukraine’s agricultural exports, but all the alternatives being considered are “hardly ideal,” Miller said.
Previously, President Zelensky announced that he had sent an official message to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, proposing to continue extending the grain agreement or its equivalent in a trilateral format without Russia's participation./.
