Ukraine accuses Moscow of paralyzing Black Sea grain deal
Grain deal extended for two months on May 17 (Photo:Mehmet Emin Caliskan / Reuters)
Moscow seems to be deliberately blocking
the operation of the Black
Sea grain agreement. The Joint Coordination Center (JCC) in Istanbul has
announced the impossibility of preparing a vessel inspection plan for June 1
due to another unfounded refusal by the Russian delegation to register incoming
ships for participation in the grain corridor.
"The destructive position of Russia and the absence of registered vessels for inspection makes it impossible to compile an inspection plan for June 1," Ukraine’s Development Ministry said in a message on its website.
Over two days, May 30 and 31, Russia registered only one incoming vessel for inspection in the port of Chornomorsk without explanation, while other parties to the JCC confirmed their participation in the grain initiative with 10 ships for three ports.
“There are 50 vessels waiting in line for inspection in Turkish territorial waters, where 2.4 million tons of food are to be shipped to the world,” the ministry said.
“This is almost twice the amount exported in May. Some ships have been waiting for JCC inspection for more than 3 months. This is over $1 billion in losses, which is reflected in food prices across the world. Thus, Russia has once again found a way to limit the world's food supply. Blocking the registration of a new incoming fleet, as well as the largest port (in the agreement) Pivdennyi, is a gross violation of the terms of the Grain Initiative signed by the aggressor country.”
Since the deal was signed 10 months ago, over 30.5 million tons of Ukrainian agricultural products have been exported.
"For 7 months, sabotage and obstruction from the Russian delegation in the JCC continues, resulting in the world not receiving at least 20 million tons of food," the message concludes.
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