No concrete mechanism allowing Ukraine to resume exporting its cereals was announced at the end of a meeting between the heads of diplomacy of Russia and Turkey, Wednesday, in Ankara.
Sergei Lavrov and his counterpart Mevlüt Cavusoglu discuss ways to establish secure maritime corridors in the Black Sea to allow ships to carry these foods overseas.
The Russian Navy’s naval blockade prevents ships from leaving the port of Odessa, the most important for grain exports, while other ports, including the ports of Berdyansk and Mariupol, are in Russian hands.
Blocking Ukrainian cereals is driving up prices and raising the specter of a global food crisis, particularly in some countries in North Africa and the Middle East. Markets are globalized, however, the effects will be felt around the world.
At the request of the United Nations, Turkey offered its assistance to escort maritime convoys from Ukrainian ports, despite the presence of mines, some of which were found near the Turkish coast.
At a press conference after the meeting, Mr. Lavrov reiterated that Russia is willing to guarantee the safety of ships leaving the ports of Ukraine […] in collaboration with our Turkish colleagues.
He reiterated that Moscow would not take advantage of the situation to push its advantage in the military field. These are guarantees provided by the President of RussiaVladimir Putin, aniya.
Mr. Cavusoglu recalled that Russia has however demanded the removal of sanctions that do not directly affect its agricultural exports, in order to facilitate Ukrainian exports.
If we open the Ukrainian international market, we believe that the removal of barriers to Russia’s exports is legitimatedid he declare.
He specifically mentioned exports grain and fertilizer The Russians, who are not directly targeted by Western sanctions, are hampered by the suspension of banking and financial exchanges.
According to Mr. Cavusoglu, the UN plan is reasonable and achievable. Ukraine and Russia must accept this .
In Moscow and kyiv, the reactions have been hardly encouraging.
In a call to reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that no no discussion of funding on the removal of the sanctions demanded by Moscow.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Oleg Nikolenko, for his part, said in a tweet that the security guarantees offered by Mr. Lavrov is all there are no words.
More details to come.
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
