Kuleba: F-16s will help Ukraine export grain despite Russian blackmail

When Ukraine receives Western-style fighter jets, it will be able to export grain to world markets despite Russian blackmail. This was stated by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in an interview with France24.

“Yes, of course, when we receive F-16s, we will not depend on Russian blackmail to export Ukrainian grain to world markets. The sooner we get them, the sooner we will be able to launch a new (grain – Ed.) corridor that will be protected and efficient, and which will work without any obstacles. Tons of Ukrainian grain will be delivered to the world markets, which will lead to stabilization of prices, their reduction and help people avoid hunger,” he said.

According to Kuleba, the most important consequence of this will be that Russia will lose its ability to blackmail the world.

The minister also said that the demand of some EU countries to extend restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural imports after September 15 is unacceptable.

“The demand of some countries to extend the EU restrictions (on Ukrainian agricultural imports – Ed.) after September 15 is also against their interests. We also need to remember that one of the reasons why Russia is destroying Ukraine’s grain infrastructure is that it wants to provoke additional tension between Ukraine and its respected neighbors. We do not need to play into Putin’s hands. We do not have to play his game. We are working closely with our partners, friends, and neighbors to avoid a situation where Putin rubs his hands and laughs when other countries insist that Ukrainian grain is not imported into their countries,” Kuleba added.

On July 17, the Russian dictator’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that the “grain deal” had been effectively suspended. On the same day, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the Black Sea Initiative would cease to function on July 18. Russia is withdrawing its guarantees of safety of navigation.

According to Peskov, Russia “will immediately return to the ‘grain deal’ as soon as the agreements related to it are fulfilled.”

Tags: export, grain, Ukraine