Ukraine: "Russia Intentionally Disrupts Grain Exports Through Black Sea Ports"

Deliberate Claims of Ship Passage Delays
Uncertainty Over Extension of Black Sea Grain Export Negotiations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ukrainian government has accused Russia, which signed the Black Sea grain export agreement, of deliberately delaying and obstructing food exports through Black Sea ports.

According to CNN and other outlets on the 23rd (local time), Ukraine's Ministry of Infrastructure stated in a press release that "Russia is intentionally delaying the implementation of the grain export agreement," adding, "As a result, only 25-30% of the recent port shipping capacity is being utilized."

The Ministry of Infrastructure announced, "Today, the bulk cargo ship Panjeo, chartered by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), departed from Chornomorsk port." The vessel is carrying 40,000 tons of wheat bound for Yemen. According to the Ministry, six other ships carrying a total of 124,300 tons of grain headed to Asia and Europe have also departed from the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhny.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized on the 21st in a speech, saying, "The situation regarding the grain export agreement has become increasingly urgent in recent weeks," and "Russia is deliberately aggravating the food crisis and is employing all means to delay food exports." He added, "Currently, more than 150 food export vessels are waiting as Russia intentionally delays ship passage."

Earlier in July, Ukraine and Russia signed an agreement to resume grain exports through the Black Sea under the mediation of the United Nations and T?rkiye. Since the agreement took effect on August 1, Ukraine has exported 8.5 million tons of grain via a total of 380 vessels.

With the resumption of exports, the global food price index, which had reached a record high of 159.7 in March, stabilized to 136.3 in September. However, as the war prolongs and U.S. wheat exports are expected to fall to their lowest level in 50 years, the food shortage has not been fully resolved.

Accordingly, concerns have arisen that if the export agreement between the two countries, which expires in mid-next month, is not extended, the global food crisis could worsen. Russia has warned that due to Western sanctions, its grain exports remain restricted and that it will not extend the export agreement unless various obstacles are resolved.

Representatives from Russia and the United Nations discussed the extension of the grain and fertilizer export agreement for Ukraine and Russia in Moscow on the 16th, but it is reported that no agreement has been reached yet.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.