Volodimir Zelenski, President of Ukraine, and Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, have confirmed through social networks that they have maintained a telephone meeting this Saturday to address the “transit of the grain” by the Black Sea, which remains paralyzed after Russia did not want to renew the agreement.
“We have shared our impressions on the current situation in the black sea and the risks it poses to global food security,” Zelenski reported in a message posted on his Twitter account.
In their conversation, both leaders have identified “the future steps needed to unlock and sustainably operate the grain corridor.” They have also discussed the next steps for Ukraine to join NATO in the future as discussed at the Vilnius summit in Lithuania.
Had a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg.
We discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the Vilnius summit and further actions regarding the integration of Ukraine into @BORN.
We shared assessments of the current situation in the…
— Volodimir Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) July 22, 2023
The grain export pact, which was reached a year ago in Istanbul with the mediation of the Turkish authorities and the United Nations, allowed exportar Ukrainian cereals and Russian agricultural products through the ports of the Black Sea and the Bosphorus Strait.
Russia announced last Monday the suspension of the grain export agreement through the Black Sea from Ukrainian ports, after verifying that commitments have not been fulfilled with the Russian side.
Good call with President @ZelenskyyUa on #Russia‘s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal. We strongly condemn Moscow’s attempt to weaponise food. Allies stand with #Ukraine for as long as it takes & following #NATOSummitUkraine is closer to #BORN than ever before.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) July 22, 2023
Among the Russian claims is the reconnection of the Rosseljozbank bank to SWIFT, lift sanctions on spare parts for agricultural machineryunblocking of logistics and transport insurance, the unfreezing of assets and the resumption of the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline, which exploded on June 5.
The suspension of the deal came hours after a Ukrainian surface underwater drone attack on the Kerch bridge, which connects the Crimean peninsula with mainland Russia. “The grain agreement is suspended”Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said in his daily telephone press conference.
“In practice the Black Sea agreements expired today. Unfortunately, the part of the Black Sea agreement that concerns Russia has not been fulfilled. Therefore, (the agreement) loses its force“, Peskov explained, adding that “as soon as the Russian part” of the agreements is fulfilled, Russia will “immediately re-implement this agreement.”
