The Russian Federation has withdrawn guarantees of navigation safety in the Black Sea
18.07.2023 - 14:00
Photo: ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, illustrative.
Russia has withdrawn from the Grains Agreement, as well as withdrawn shipping safety guarantees and declared the northwestern part of the Black Sea “dangerous”.
On July 17, Russia announced that it was withdrawing from the Istanbul Agreements, within the limits of which vessels could deliver Ukrainian grain from the ports of Great Odesa through the “grain corridor.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation stated that, in accordance with Clause H of the agreements, the Russian side objects to the further continuation of the initiative, which it informed the Turkish and Ukrainian parties, as well as the UN Secretariat.
“This means the withdrawal of shipping safety guarantees, the collapse of the maritime humanitarian corridor, the restoration of the regime of a temporarily dangerous area in the northwestern waters of the Black Sea, and the disbandment of the SCC in Istanbul,” added the ministry of the terrorist country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation added that without the participation of Russia, the Black Sea Grain Initiative will cease its operation on July 18.
But even in official statements, Russia did not do without blackmail: “If the Black Sea Initiative is really appreciated in Western capitals, then let them think seriously about fulfilling their obligations and actually removing Russian fertilizers and food from sanctions. Russia will be ready to consider renewing the agreement only if concrete results are obtained, not promises and assurances.”
Earlier, USM reported that the President of Ukraine had a conversation with UN Secretary General António Guterres. It was about the necessity of the “grain corridor”.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Ukraine, the UN and Turkey can jointly ensure the further operation of the food corridor and the inspection of ships.
After the Russian Federation announced the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, global wheat prices rose sharply by 6.7% to $6.89 per bushel.
In addition, Russia’s withdrawal from the Grain Agreement provoked insurance companies to review the policy of covering cargo ships operating in the Black Sea.
