In July, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement that allowed Ukrainian grain exports to continue across the Black Sea, as before the war started. At the weekend, the Russians withdrew from this, and claim this is a consequence of drone attacks on their Black Sea fleet. The Kremlin warns the remaining parties to continue transporting grain in this way, and says they cannot guarantee the safety of civilian ships loaded with Ukrainian grain. AFP reports. Spokesperson for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, tells the agency that the agreement is “not feasible” because they cannot guarantee the safety of civilian ships carrying grain across the Black Sea. A member of the crew on the ship “Nord Vind” prepares the cargo for inspection. Photo: YASIN AKGUL / AFP He also said that the journeys will become “more risky” and “dangerous” with this. Peskov would not comment on what would possibly get them back into the agreement, according to Reuters. Among the ten ships that set sail on Monday is the Ikaria Angel, which is managed by Verda’s food program and is loaded with 30,000 tonnes of halibut. The grain is emergency aid for the Horn of Africa. The Center for Joint Coordination (JCC) reports that 12 ships will leave the port for joint Monday, loaded with 354,500 tonnes of grain and similar products. Four ships will also cross the Black Sea with cargo to Ukraine. Allereie has ten ships like this going to sea on Monday to transport Ukrainian grain abroad. Photo: OZAN KOSE / AFP According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia is withdrawing for completely different reasons, but is using the drone attack as a false pretext. UN: – Can never be a military target The UN, Turkey and Ukraine have continued with the grain transport in line with the agreement between them, even though Russia has now withdrawn. Civilian cargo ships can never be held hostage or be a military target, writes the UN’s coordinator for the grain agreement, Amir Abdulla, on Twitter. Abdulla warns against stopping food transport across the Black Sea. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that Turkey will continue with its part of the agreement. The first of 40 planned inspections of ships included in the agreement have been carried out outside Istanbul, says a spokesperson for the UN. A UN official climbs up to inspect the ship Chola Treasure, which was carrying Ukrainian grain on 11 October. Photo: YASIN AKGUL / AFP These were done by teams from the UN and Turkey, without representatives from Russia and Ukraine present, as previously planned. According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Transport says that it is desirable to continue with Ukrainian grain transport by sea. Nevertheless, they add, one will continue with the transport on land if sea transport does not become an alternative. The insurance company Ascot has seen its coverage of Ukrainian grain transport crossing the Black Sea suspended until the situation is more clarified. This is reported by a top manager in the Lloyds of London company to Reuters.
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Russia warns against continuing with grain agreement – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
