The EU is considering the Danube corridor as an alternative to shipping agricultural products by sea from Ukraine.
“The EU is fully committed to continuing to support Ukraine’s access to international markets,” the spokesperson said.
The European Commission is “closely monitoring” the situation in the Black Sea, including “disruptions caused by Russian strikes on Ukraine’s seaports, transport infrastructure and border crossings.”
The commission is also assessing the potential effects on agriculture, the broader economy and global food security.
“We support initiatives for a moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea,” the spokesperson said, echoing a statement made last week by European Commission Vice President and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
“In response to the deteriorating situation in the Black Sea and growing problems for shipping, particularly in the Danube region, the European Commission is maintaining contact with Ukrainian authorities and Ukraine’s neighboring countries to resolve current issues,” the spokesperson said.
The commission is also using the Solidarity Lanes to adjust capacity to meet growing demand for transportation and support Ukraine’s access to international markets, the spokesperson said.
According to the spokesperson, the Danube corridor remains “the most promising alternative in terms of potential capacity.”
Ukraine’s agricultural exports in August totaled only
one-third of their potential volume, according to previous reports.