Russia effectively halted the Black Sea grain deal by refusing to register incoming ships, Ukraine’s restoration ministry said on Monday May 8.
Recall that the Ukrainian Black Sea ports were blocked after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but access to three of them was allowed last July in accordance with an agreement between Moscow and Kiev, which was brokered by the UN and Turkey.
“The Russian Federation once again effectively stopped the Grain Initiative by refusing to register arriving ships and conduct their inspections. This approach is contrary to the terms of the current agreement,” the Ukrainian ministry said in a statement.
The statement also clarifies that 90 vessels, including 62 vessels for loading, are waiting in the territorial waters of Turkey for permission to enter Ukrainian ports.
The agreement expires May 18. Moscow has threatened to withdraw from an agreement designed to help alleviate the global food crisis. Türkiye and the UN are working to extend the agreement.
Source: VOA
