The Ukrainian president told fellow countrymen he had asked for the help of the British or Turkish Navy to guarantee the safe transport of grain
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that he might up to 75 million tonnes of grain to remain trapped in Ukraine by next fall, adding that Kyiv wants anti-ship weapons that could ensure the safe passage of its exports.
“Ukraine has discussed with a British and Turkish navy the idea of ​​a third country guaranteeing the passage of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea,” Zelensky told a news conference in Kyiv.
However, the strongest guarantee for their safe passage would be Ukrainian weapons, he told reporters.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov stated that he had contact with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar talking about ‘project in Black SeaDiscussed by the two men to ensure free navigation.
“This week began with a discussion with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. Among other things, we discussed new projects in the Black Sea region to ensure free navigation and the safety of commercial transport. “Thank you, Minister Akar, for the Turkish humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine and its people.”
This week started with a conversation with 🇹🇷 DefMin Hulusi Akar. Among others, we discussed new projects in the Black 🌊 region to ensure free navigation and security of merchant shipment. Thank you, Minister Akar, for 🇹🇷 humanitarian assistance provided to 🇺🇦 and its people. pic.twitter.com/e2jDGqZpoc
– Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) June 6, 2022
The Russian Ministry of Defense recently stated that ships carrying grain could sail from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea via “humanitarian corridors” and that the Moscow is ready to guarantee their safety, as reported by the Reuters news agency, citing Interfax.
The Russian Defense Ministry also stresses that Moscow will not take advantage of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine for the purposes of the “special military operation”, as it calls Russia’s invasion of its neighboring country.
