Russian warships have no relation to the protection of “grain corridors” – UN

Military ships of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia have no relation to the security of the maritime corridor for the transportation of Ukrainian grain, Martin Griffiths, Deputy Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, said at the meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday.

As reported by the correspondent of Ukrinform in New York, this is how the UN representative refuted Russia’s claims that warships allegedly involved in guaranteeing the safety of the maritime grain export corridor were attacked in Sevastopol.

“First, to be clear: no military vessels, aircraft or assets are involved or involved in supporting the initiative by any party. They are not needed. In fact, they are prohibited from approaching cargo ships closer than 10 nautical miles, according to procedures agreed by all parties,” Griffiths explained.

According to him, the UN is ready to investigate, together with the member states participating in the initiative, whether the Black Sea Grain Initiative was used to obtain a military-operational advantage.

He reported that 38 countries purchased about 9 million tons of grain from Ukraine within the framework of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Griffiths noted that “recent events have sent wheat prices soaring, and every fraction of a percentage point brings someone around the world closer to extreme poverty.”

According to his information, insurers can increase insurance premiums for shipping on the Black Sea by a quarter or half, which also affects prices.

The Deputy General Secretary added that Russia, according to her claims, is not abandoning the initiative, but is only temporarily suspending its implementation.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Russian Federation accused Ukraine and Britain of “terrorist attacks against ships of the Black Sea Fleet” and announced its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

On the morning of October 29, explosions rang out during a raid on temporarily occupied Sevastopol. Ukraine does not confirm its involvement in them.

In Istanbul on July 22, at the proposal of the UN, Turkey and the UN Secretary General signed the Initiative on safe transportation of grain and products from the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny. Guterres called for an extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which expired on November 22.

Tags: Ukraine, Russia, war