Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has sent a letter to Türkiye and the United Nations (UN) to continue the Grain Corridor Agreement without Russia.
Zelensky made statements on his Telegram channel about the grain shipment agreement signed between Türkiye, Ukraine, Russia and the UN in Istanbul on July 22, 2022.
Zelensky shared the information that about 33 million tons of agricultural products were sent to 45 countries under this agreement, and mentioned the countries where the shipment went, and stated that it saved people’s lives.
Emphasizing that Africa, Asia and Europe have the right to stability, Zelensky said, “We all need to think about security and protection from Russia’s madness. Ukraine’s food products are the basic security for about 400 million people.”
It can continue without Russia
Zelensky noted: “The Black Sea Grain Initiative can and should continue to work without Russia. This agreement remains valid. All that remains is its careful implementation. I have sent letters to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with a proposal to continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative or to work on the trilateral equivalent of the agreement. Together, Ukraine, the UN and Türkiye can ensure the operation of the food corridor and the inspection of ships.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement had been suspended and that Russia would return to the agreement once the relevant conditions were met.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also announced that Russia would return to the agreement if the West stopped imposing sanctions on Russian food and fertilizer.