Continuing grain exports through the Black Sea, as proposed by Kiev, would pose “certain security risks”, the Kremlin warned after Moscow refused to extend the agreement.

“In the absence of adequate security guarantees, certain risks are posed,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that “if something is done without Russia, these risks must be taken into account.”

In addition to the veiled threat, the Kremlin accused Kiev of using the sea channel to export grain “for military purposes.”

“It is not a secret for anyone, it is obvious that this zone was used by Kiev for military purposes,” Peskov told reporters a few hours after the international agreement reached by Kiev and Moscow under the auspices of the UN expired at midnight. of Turkey.

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he agreed with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a telephone conversation to work together to resume Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Russia launched an airstrike in Odessa as well as in southern and eastern regions. Odessa is the main port from which Ukrainian grain was exported via the Black Sea.