Russia and Turkey have reached a tentative deal to resume shipments of Ukraine’s farm products from a key Black Sea port, but kyiv remains skeptical about the proposed deal, according to people familiar with the discussions.
The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered military help to clear mines off the coast of Odessa and escort grain ships, but Ukraine has yet to back the plan, concerned that by withdrawing defenses it could leave the crucial port open to a Russian attack.. Turkey hopes that a United Nations endorsement of the proposal could allay security concerns.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said kyiv was not invited to the deal talks in Ankara this week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that he is optimistic that the military authorities will be able to find a solution. and announced his visit to the Turkish capital on Wednesday.
Food scarcity and military guarantee
The Kremlin invasion has disrupted shipments of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine, threatening food shortages for millions of people in their traditional markets. Moscow has denied responsibility for the disruption, but demanded relief from US and European sanctions. that limit their exports of fertilizers and agricultural products.
Ukraine and its allies blame Russia for blocking the shipments. Zelensky said that up to 25 million tons of grain is now stuck without export routes, a figure that could triple by the fall. The president said that kyiv is seeking guarantees that its ports will be protected from Russian attack once the mines are removed.
“The strongest guarantees will be weapons” that would allow Ukraine to fight Russian ships if they attack Ukrainian ports, he said.
The Russian-Turkish plan would allow mine clearance near Odessa and ensure safe passage for ships leaving the Black Sea, under UN auspices. Turkey, which has been trying to mediate in the conflict for months, intends to establish a center in Istanbul to monitor and coordinate shipments. Ukraine has not been directly involved in the talks, according to an official there.
“By commenting in advance on the achievement of the agreement, Russia seeks to transfer responsibility to Ukraine” for the interruption of supplies, Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s deputy economy minister, said in a text message. “But the fact is that the food crisis has been artificially generated only and solely by Russia.”
Russia is also demanding the ability to inspect ships heading to Ukraine for weapons, a condition kyiv has resisted.
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