The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry insisted on Thursday that Russian forces must withdraw from Ukrainian coastal waters and provide guarantees they will not attack ports and commercial vessels before Ukraine can agree to resume grain exports. Yesterday, Russia stated it is ready to "assist in escorting ships loaded with grain to international waters" as the two sides accuse each other of mining the waters.
"Alternative land routes will not solve the problem because they have low capacity. In addition, Russia is stealing Ukrainian grain in the occupied territories in order to sell it illegally to third countries," a ministry spokesperson said. "Ukraine is working with partners to establish an international mission, in particular under the auspices of the United Nations, which will take over the functioning of maritime routes for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products."
