Ukraine, Moldova discuss Black Sea attacks, grain routes
Ukraine and Moldova will coordinate their efforts to strengthen alternative grain export routes (Photo: Andrii Sybiha/X)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held talks with Moldova's re-elected deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Mihai Popșoi, discussing both countries' paths toward European Union membership as well as the security situation in the Black Sea, Sybiha reported on X on July 23.
According to Sybiha, the two officials discussed bilateral cooperation and European integration, emphasizing the need to open all EU accession negotiation clusters as soon as possible.
"Particular attention was paid to the security situation in the Black Sea," Sybiha said. “Russia's continued attacks on civil vessels and Ukraine's port infrastructure are a direct threat to freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. Their consequences extend far beyond Ukraine, affecting regional and global food security.”
The two foreign ministers agreed to continue coordinating with international partners to strengthen the resilience of alternative logistics routes and ensure Ukrainian grain exports continue, the diplomat added.
Ukraine's Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi said on July 22 that ship calls at Ukrainian sea ports had temporarily been suspended due to a deteriorating security situation, though the government is working on measures to ensure export stability.
The shipping company Maersk said on July 21 it was suspending service through the Chornomorsk fishing port, a decision made after intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine's maritime export routes. Maersk became the second major company to halt operations in Chornomorsk in July; Kernel Holding, Ukraine's largest grain exporter, suspended operations at the city's main port the previous week following a series of Russian strikes.
Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's maritime export routes throughout the full-scale war, but strikes on cargo vessels and deep-water ports handling much of Ukraine's grain exports have intensified significantly in recent weeks.
On July 17, Russian forces struck port infrastructure in Odesa Oblast, damaging a civilian vessel flying the Marshall Islands flag.
On July 19, Russian forces struck the civilian vessel Golden Leo, flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, near Odesa, killing 10 people.
On July 20, the Liberian-flagged propane tanker Gas Lisbon was struck roughly 20 nautical miles off Romania's coast. The vessel had departed the port of Alexandria, Egypt, and was heading to the Ukrainian port of Reni.
Overnight into July 22, Russia struck the bulk carrier Golden Rose with a drone in the Black Sea.
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