The Black Sea Grain Initiative has exhausted itself, but the corridor is working well

The Black Sea Grain Initiative in the format that existed until the summer of 2023 has exhausted itself and will not be renewed, but the sea corridor guarded by the Ukrainian military works well as a channel for exporting Ukrainian agricultural products. This opinion was expressed at the press conference by Mykola Solsky, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food.

“I have a feeling that the grain initiative has ceased to exist in the format it was in. Already in the summer, it was felt that the world was not interested in it much. Grain is cheaper on the world market. Turkey has a record, and they are not interested in it,” he explained.

Solsky added that last year, the parties interested in the grain initiative were constantly calling and asking about the timing of his possible visit, but “this year it is impossible to reach them.”

The Minister praised the work of the sea corridor, which is functioning with the help of the Ukrainian military.

“The sea is working. It is very difficult for the Russian side to attack ships. In addition, the ports of Greater Odesa are better defended from a military point of view than the Danube. According to all Soviet canons, ports were built in places that assumed they would be attacked sooner or later. They are defended 10 times more efficiently than the Danube water area,” Solsky assured.

Speaking about the recent suspension of the maritime corridor, which the United District “South” explained as a result of the increased danger of attacks from the Russian side, Solsky clarified that, in addition to this danger, there are risks that are exacerbated by bad weather at sea, and ships may encounter mines.

In addition, high waves, while not creating problems for cargo ships, whose carrying capacity averages about 40,000 tons, are an obstacle for military boats that accompany them and ensure the safety of cargo ships moving through the sea corridor.

Tags: Ukraine, Black Sea grain deal, Black Sea grain corridor