So, Russia is trying to get rid of a competitor in the food market, the head of state said.
Russia is blocking Ukrainian ports to eliminate a competitor in the food market. This was said by President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference in Kyiv on June 16 after a meeting with the leaders of the countries of the African Union.
“We organized a” grain initiative “, we turned to international organizations and leaders who gave us money, a fund, so that we could send agricultural products. By the way, we sent them to most of your states for free. That’s our And this is not the result of a crisis or conflict between two states. These are the consequences of blocking our ports by Russia,” said the head of state.
According to Zelensky, the Russians blocked the ports “to sell their agricultural products themselves and to have no competition from Ukraine, such as a major supplier.”
The President also drew attention to the fact that Russia did not allow any grain maritime corridor until the Ukrainian military cleared Serpents’ Island, and until the Armed Forces of Ukraine received the appropriate weapons to ensure the security of the harbor
Recall, on May 17, Ukraine, Turkey, the UN and Russia agreed to extend the grain agreement for another two months – until July 18. But after some time, the UN said that the grain agreement not fully functional.
On June 5, it was learned that Russia had resumed the registration of ships as part of the grain deal.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was concluded in Istanbul on July 22, 2022 with the participation of the UN, Ukraine, Turkey and Russia. Its essence is to create a corridor for the export of grain from three Ukrainian ports in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The initiative was completed in 120 days, it was extended twice.
Russia has repeatedly threatened to end the grain deal. The Russian Federation insisted on unblocking the operation of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline and removing all trade sanctions on Russian agricultural products and fertilizers.
Source: korrespondent
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