First ship with grain leaves Ukrainian port of Odesa
The first ship with Ukrainian grain has already left Odesa.
The Razoni ship, under the flag of Sierra Leone, is to transport grain to Lebanon.
The export will occur within the "grain agreement" between Ukraine, russia, Turkey, and the UN.
Control over the maritime corridor's work and the operation's security is entrusted to the coordination center in Istanbul.
It is noted that the ship RAZONI, under the flag of Sierra Leone, is heading to the port of Tripoli in Lebanon with 26 thousand tons of Ukrainian corn.
"Today, Ukraine, with its partners, is taking another step towards preventing world hunger. Unblocking the ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange earnings for the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan next year's sowing. We are grateful to the partners who, despite the difficulties, did not stop the work on preparing for export. For its part, Ukraine has done everything to restore the operation of ports and all involved enterprises.
In the ports of great Odesa, 16 more ships are already waiting for their turn. These vessels have been blocked since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion. At the same time, we will receive applications for the arrival of new ships for loading agricultural products. In the coming weeks, with the support of our partners, we plan to reach the total capacity of transshipment of farm products," said Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.
On July 22, in Istanbul, at the suggestion of the United Nations, Ukraine, Turkey, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres signed the Initiative for the safe transportation of grain and food from the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi.
Mykhailo Podolyak, the adviser to the head of the President's Office, emphasized that Ukraine does not sign any documents with russia. "We sign an agreement with Turkey and the UN and undertake obligations to them. russia signs a mirror agreement with Turkey and the UN," he wrote on Twitter.
russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu signed the agreement with Turkey and the UN on behalf of russia. The agreement does not provide for the escort of transport by russian ships and the presence of russian representatives in Ukrainian ports.
The very next day after signing the agreement, russia violated it by shelling the port of Odesa. It was condemned by the UN, the EU, and the US. Ankara called on the parties to fulfill the reached agreements.
Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov commented on the shelling of the Odesa port, carried out by the occupiers resorted to on July 23. According to him, navigation through the Black Sea will continue as planned. However, Ukraine can stop the export of grain through the Black Sea. Such a decision may be made if there are any threats from russia in the water.
"This (grain export – ed.) is also important for us, as it is for the entire civilized world. You and I understand very well that if something happens in the Black Sea, then this initiative will be stopped," Kubrakov said.
The Ministry of Infrastructure's head also noted that Ukraine negotiated with the UN and Turkey, and they expressed their position regarding russia's actions.
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Read Rubryka's daily timeline of war: current news on Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression.
