Ukraine FM Kuleba avers Kyiv will open Odesa port for grain exports if Russia won't attack

As brutal conflict between Russia and Ukraine transcended 100 days, with more than 14 million Ukrainians forced to flee ir homeland and Russian forces relentlessly inving Ukrainian cities of geopolitical significance, situation has taken a new direction. ongoing war has t only caused casualties to Ukraine, but it is also placing world into a crisis-like situation due to millions of tonnes of food grains getting stuck in ports currently under Russia's control. On Friday, Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba voiced concern over exports that have been blocked by Kremlin troops. Kuleba mentioned that one of obstacles to export of Ukrainian produce through port of Odesa is that Russia could use this corridor to attack city. Taking to Twitter, Foreign Minister stated that Kyiv is rey to create necessary conditions for resumption of exports from port of Odesa, but Russia can take this as a chance to launch ar attack.

"Ukraine is rey to create necessary conditions for resumption of exports from port of Odesa." question is how to ensure that Russia does t use this tre route to attack Odessa. Currently, re are guarantees from Russia, "said Dmytro Kuleba. He asserted that Ukraine is looking for solutions toger with UN and or allies.

Kyiv rey to open Odesa port for grain exports if Russia doesn't attack: FM Kuleba

It is pertinent to mention here that Ukraine alone accounts for 10% of world's wheat production and is one of world's largest exporters of grain and oil, mainly by sea. However, due to Russia's aggression, export channels have been blocked resulting in a crisis-like situation and an increase in global prices for se products. To tackle ongoing situation, Ukraine, along with its partners, is discussing possibility of establishing an international mission to unblock Ukrainian maritime exports; as a first step, it is necessary that Russian troops stationed at ports withdraw ir forces in maritime waters around Ukraine and provide security guarantees against n-aggression. It is worth mentioning here that Russia has said that it is rey to allow ships carrying Ukrainian grain "if Ukraine clears ports" and in exchange for lifting sanctions. However, United States and UK have alrey said y are t going to consider such concessions.

Im: AP/ Pixabay