Zelensky on the “grain corridor”: It should be safe, we expect practical actions from the UN

To ensure the operation of the “grain corridor” from the UN there should be clear practical actions, not just statements. Knowing Russia, no one can ensure security in grain exports. He said this during a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in Kyiv.

According to him, the grain export agreement with Turkey and the UN is valid, while Russia has violated its own agreements with the UN and the Turkish side.

“The (grain – Ed.) corridor should be safe. In fact, knowing Russia, it will not be on security unless the UN is very clear and very firm at the level of the Secretary General. In addition to his words, which were quite powerful, we need practical action. We have not seen that yet,” the head of state noted.

He noted that Ukraine was holding talks with Turkey on the “grain corridor” at different levels. He promised to soon receive full information about the vision of the continuation of the corridor.

“With the President of Turkey we can talk about how we will act with him, how we can ensure security in this corridor. There are different aspects here. We raised questions on individual convoys – they need to be discussed not only with Turkey, but also with our other partners . . I am going to discuss this,” the President added.

He is also waiting for a response from the Ukrainian military regarding the security situation to continue the work of the grain initiative.

“The UN, Turkey, and the military can all say that no one can give a 100% guarantee. But this is a very easy position. For Ukraine as a state, this is not a position we are ready to take, because we need the corridor to work. And we have every right to do so,” Zelensky emphasized.

Zelensky added that private companies that lease ships and are traders of agricultural products have long been applying and declaring their readiness to take risks, but to go through the corridor.

He noted that he is waiting for a plan from the military and the Ministry of Infrastructure on how this can be done.

Tags: Black Sea grain corridor, UN, Ukraine