Romania promises to help Ukraine with the export of grain

Romania is working on finding new ways to transport Ukrainian grain after Russia’s withdrawal from the Grain Agreement.

Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminica Odobescu announced the intention to help Ukraine. According to Odobescu, “the security situation in the Black Sea region is quite serious.”

The minister condemned Moscow’s “truly cynical” shelling of Ukrainian ports and grain warehouses, which are exacerbating the global food crisis, “Ukrinform” reports.

“Moscow is seriously hindering the export of Ukrainian grain, which is a lifeline for vulnerable people in many importing countries, which is really exacerbating the global food crisis,” she said.

Odobescu emphasized that Bucharest has made efforts in recent months to increase the transit of Ukrainian grain through Romania, in particular by expanding the capacity of ports and checkpoints.

“It takes time to see results,” Odobescu said. She added that Romania is coordinating work with Ukraine “to understand how we can do more.” Further talks between Bucharest and Kyiv on this topic are expected this week.

Speaking about the possible extension of the ban on the import of certain agricultural products from Ukraine, which Romania and four other EU countries want to extend after September 15, Odobescu noted that it is necessary to “find a solution to financially help farmers in the affected regions.”