Kazakhstan set to terminate contract with Russian firm over breach of int'l law: Report

Amid ongoing devasting war between Moscow and Kyiv, Kazakhstan's Industry and Infrastructure Development Minister stated that country is set to terminate contract with a Russian company that rented a ship which illegally exported Ukrainian grain. According to reports, Russian ship "Zhybek Zholy" has been detained in Turkey for breaching international law. "If vessel conducts activities that do not comply with legal norms opted in Kazakhstan and international law, of course, this contract will be terminated and vessel will be recalled," Kairbek Uskenbayev told Rio Azattyk. 

According to Vasyl Bodnar, Ambassor of Ukraine to Turkey, Turkish customs authorities detained Russian ship with "looted" Ukrainian grain on July 3. He furr stated that ship entered port of Karas in Turkey through Berdyansk port city in Ukraine. He furr said that Ukrainian side is cooperating with customs authorities of Turkey to clarify situation. Meanwhile, Andriy Klymenko, he of monitoring group of Black Sea Strategic Research Institute, claimed that ship was carrying at least 7,000 tonnes of looted Ukrainian grain. 

Ukraine accuses Russia of stealing around 400,000 tonnes of grain

According to reports, ship was loed with wheat which it took from Berdyansk city which is under Russian control. Russian Armed Forces have captured parts of territory in east and south of Ukraine, blocking Ukrainian ports and making it impossible to export wheat and or crops.

Ukrainian authorities have accused Russian forces of stealing at least 400,000 tonnes of grain from occupied territories in country. However, Russia has outrightly rejected all accusations of illegal export of grain.

At least 22 million tonnes of grain blocked at Ukrainian ports: Zelenskyy

Furr, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that as many as 22 million tonnes of grain are still blocked at country's ports. He stated that country is holding discussions with Turkey and United Nations (UN) in order to acquire guarantees for grain exports from Ukrainian ports.

Zelenskyy me se remarks while holding a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in Kyiv on Monday, July 4. embattled Ukrainian President also claimed that exports were increasing on a daily basis, despite challenging circumstances. 

(Image: @PrimeMinisterEn/Twitter/AP)