US to help Ukraine with exports following Russia's withdrawal from grain deal – Blinken
Following Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine's partners will look for alternative ways to export Ukrainian food, although the sea route was the most effective.
Source: European Pravda, citing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a briefing on Monday.
Details: Blinken explained that following Russia's termination of its involvement in the grain deal, the United States and its partners will consider other options for exporting Ukrainian grain, but noted that Moscow's step will have a "profound chilling effect" on the ability to pursue them.
Quote: "As other countries, companies, shippers, etc., will be very concerned about what happens to their ships and to their personnel."
More details: The US Secretary of State also recalled that the grain deal was meant to guarantee the safety, reliability and predictability of food exports from Ukraine to countries that need it.
Quote: "In the absence of that, we’ll look to see what else can be done to find other ways to get Ukrainian food products on the world market, including moving things out through rail and by road. But in terms of the volumes necessary, it’s really hard to replace what’s now being lost as a result of Russia weaponising food."
Background:
- On 17 July, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian President, stated that the grain deal had been suspended. Moreover, Russia announced the withdrawal of shipping safety guarantees within the framework of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which ceased to operate as of Monday, 17 July.
- At the same time, the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin actually wants the grain deal to be extended and intends to discuss this with him.
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