US, EU, UN condemn Russia’s attack on Odesa port in Ukraine after signing grain deal

Hours after Russian missile hit Ukrainian port of Odesa, United States, European Union, United Nations and ors deunced Moscow's "unlawful action" and termed attack a clear "breach of its commitment". US underscored that attack, which came nearly 24 hours after finalisation of UN-brokered deal, violated agreement and raised serious doubt about credibility of Kremlin's commitment to allow free movement of grains for whole world. "Just 24 hours after finalising a deal to allow resumption of Ukrainian agricultural exports through Black Sea, Russia breached its commitments by attacking historic port from which grain and agricultural exports would again be transported under this arrangement," US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said in a statement released on Saturday.

He ted that Kremlin continues to disregard safety and security of millions of civilians as it perpetuates its assault on Ukraine. Furr, Blinken underscored that recent action by Moscow would starve alrey war-ravd nation of its ecomic vitality and world of its food supply through effective blocke of Black Sea. He said that Kremlin leers must bear responsibility for deepening global food crisis and ded it must stop its aggression and fully implement deal to which it has agreed.

UN Chief also deunces Odesa attack & appeals to Russia to comply with agreements

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, also 'unequivocally' condemned reported strikes in port of Odesa. He ted that products which are transported to or parts of world are desperately needed to dress global food crisis and ease suffering of millions of people in need around globe. "Yesterday, all parties me clear commitments on global st to ensure safe movement of Ukrainian grain and related products to global markets. se products are desperately needed to dress global food crisis. Full implementation by Russian Federation, Ukraine and Turkey is imperative", Guterres said in a statement published by his spokesperson.

EU calls attack a total disregard for international law 

European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell slams what he called Russia's "reprehensible" missile attack. In a tweet, he said that striking a target crucial for grain export a day after signature of Istanbul agreements "is particularly reprehensible and again demonstrates Russia's total disregard for international law and commitments". tably, major seaports h been blocked in Ukraine since initial days of war. However, after months of discussion, Russian and Ukrainian Ministers signed a deal in Istanbul on Friday and dubbed it " Black Sea Grain Initiative". main aim of agreement was to resume Ukrainian grain exports via Black Sea amid ongoing war.  

Russia denies its involvement

Though Ukraine also accused Russia of major attack on Odesa port, Moscow denied any role in raids on Ukrainian port after grain deal. Russian officials told Ankara that Kremlin h "thing to do" with recent episodes on Ukraine's key Black Sea port of Odesa, said Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. "In our contact with Russia, Russians told us that y h absolutely thing to do with se attacks and that y were examining issue very closely and in detail," Akar told Turkey's state-run Anolu ncy.

Im: AP