(MENAFN- UkrinForm) With the support of international partners, Ukraine will continue helping other countries with food despite Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The relevant statement was made by the Strategic Communications Department at the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of Ukraine (AFU Stratcom) on telegram , an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
On that day a year ago, an agreement was signed in Türkiye's Istanbul to establish the so-called 'grain corridor' and unblock the export of food products and grain from three Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.
Prior to Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine was the world's fifth largest grain exporter. Russia's blockade of Ukrainian ports caused a global spike in grain prices.
Following the UN estimates, grain shortages and rising food prices put 50 million people at risk of starvation. The terrorist state of Russia threatens the survival of entire nations in Africa and the Middle East with its actions.
The AFU Stratcom emphasized that Russia had been using the blockade of maritime exports as a tool of pressure on Ukraine and the West for a long time. As the Grain Deal was signed, the Kremlin's opportunities to blackmail the world with hunger became fewer.
“This was a logical consequence of the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and strategic cooperation with partners,” the AFU Stratcom stressed, adding that, after regaining control over Snake [Zmiinyi] Island, Ukraine was able to resume navigation via the Bystre Canal between the Danube and the Black Sea.
Over the past year, more than 33 million tonnes of grain has been exported as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which saved many nations from famine. At the same time, Ukraine's state budget received more than USD 20 billion through this agreement.
Meanwhile, the day after the Grain Deal was signed, Russia launched a missile strike on Ukraine's Odesa Port. Once again, this proved that Russian terrorists would stop at nothing“for the sake of their sick ambitions”, no matter what losses they themselves or the countries dependent on Ukrainian grain would have to suffer.
“A year later, Russia announced its withdrawal from the Grain Deal. However, the Ukrainian state has its own plan. With the political consent of partner countries, namely Türkiye, and the trust of insurers, Ukraine is ready to pave its economic way. We will continue to help other countries, because it is only with joint struggle and mutual support that we will achieve Victory,” the AFU Stratcom concluded.
A reminder that, on July 22, 2022, Ukraine, Türkiye, the United Nations and Russia signed the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul, which unblocked three Ukrainian ports (Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi) for the export of grain and mineral fertilizers. Under the aegis of the UN, the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) was established in Istanbul to supervise and coordinate the operation of the 'grain corridor'.
On July 17, 2023, Russia announced its withdrawal from the Grain Deal.
Photo: Oleksandr Kubrakov, Facebook