Romania is working to find new ways to transport Ukrainian grain

Romania is working to find new ways to transport Ukrainian grain after Moscow’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and its shelling of port infrastructure in southern Ukraine. This was stated by Romanian Foreign Minister Luminica Odobescu, Politico reports.

“Romania is working to find additional ways to help transport Ukrainian grain, the country’s foreign minister said Monday, describing the security situation in the Black Sea region as “quite serious,” the report said.

Odobescu described the security situation in the Black Sea as “quite serious” and condemned Moscow’s “truly cynical” shelling of Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities, which is exacerbating the global food crisis.

“Moscow is seriously impeding the export of Ukrainian grain, which is a lifeline for vulnerable people in many importing countries, which is really exacerbating the global food crisis,” she said.

Odobescu emphasized that Bucharest has made efforts in recent months to increase the transit of Ukrainian grain through Romania, in particular by expanding the capacity of ports and checkpoints.

“It will take time to see the results,” Odobescu said of the Romanian government’s efforts to support an alternative grain transit route, which are supported by the European Commission.

She added that Romania is also coordinating with Ukraine “to see how we can do more.” Further talks between Bucharest and Kyiv on this topic are expected this week.

Speaking about a possible extension of the ban on imports of certain agricultural products from Ukraine, which Romania and four other EU countries want to extend beyond September 15, Odobescu said that it is necessary to “find a solution to help farmers in the affected regions financially.”

Tags: grain, Romania, Ukraine, export