Despite the Russian airstrikes in Odessa, Ukraine has announced that it will continue its grain exports as scheduled. It is predicted that the first exports will be made within this week at the earliest.
Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on the 25th (local time), “Ukraine hopes to resolve the global food crisis according to the UN-mediated agreement. We look forward to the shipment starting.”
On the 22nd, Ukraine finally signed the grain export negotiation plan through four-party negotiations with Russia, the United Nations, and Turkiye (Turkey). The intention was to establish a safe route and resume exports of Ukrainian grain and Russian fertilizers. But the very next day, fears arose that Russian forces would attack Odessaint in southern Ukraine, destroying the deal.
Ukraine said the first shipment date for grain exports could be as early as the 27th. “In the next two weeks, preparations for export can be completed at three Ukrainian ports (Odessa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny),” Kubrakov said. “The (Turkish courtesy) joint coordination center will start operating from the 27th,” he added.
If the export route to the Black Sea is opened, it will be possible to import and export not only Ukrainian grain but also Russian fertilizer. “Farmers need to secure income this year to prepare for next year’s sowing,” Kubrakou said. expected
Reporter Oh Hyun-woo [email protected]