Budanov: the grain agreement contains none of the unacceptable conditions the Russian Federation wanted to impose
KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO — FRIDAY, 22 JULY 2022, 20:31
A member of the Ukrainian delegation at the negotiations on the unblocking of Ukrainian ports for the export of grain, the head of the Ukrainian Chief Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that the agreement does not contain any of the unacceptable conditions that Russia had tried to impose.
Source: Budanov on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast
Quote: "Ukraine's position was 100% defended. All the unacceptable conditions that Russia had tried to impose on us for quite a long period of time are absent here. None of those conditions remain.
Russia really wanted to escort convoys with warships, to inspect certain things on our territory, etc. None of these points will be implemented. Russia eventually agreed to this."
Details: Budanov emphasised that from a military point of view, Ukraine does not see any threats from signing this agreement.
Quote: "A shipping corridor has been opened up. Vessels will move exclusively along this shipping lane. No part of the coast, apart from the corridor mentioned, will be demined.
That is, if someone thinks that Russia will be able to land an amphibious assault under the guise of the operation of this corridor, that is completely unrealistic. In addition, the coast is already protected by coastal missile complexes and makes such actions absolutely unrealistic."
Background: On Friday [22 July], an agreement was signed in Istanbul on unblocking Ukrainian ports for the export of grain.
The initiative, signed by representatives of Turkey, the UN and Ukraine, must be approved by the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers and made public in its entirety. The same document was signed separately by representatives of Turkey, the UN and Russia. On the Ukrainian side, the document was signed by Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov. On the Russian side, the initiative was signed by Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu.
