European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis today called on Russia to renew a deal on Ukrainian grain and allow it to pass safely through Black Sea ports, following Moscow’s withdrawal last month.

Dombrovskis estimated that the restrictions imposed by Russia on the passage of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea create problems not only in Kiev but also in many developing countries.

Russia is using “grains as a weapon”, said the EU trade commissioner who is in India to attend the G20 trade ministers’ meeting.

“We support all the efforts of the UN, Turkey regarding the Black Sea grain initiative,” he underlined while speaking to reporters, while adding that the EU offers alternative trade routes for Ukrainian grain and other exports.

Since Russia’s withdrawal from the grain deal in July, some 45 million tonnes of grain, seeds and other related products have been exported via alternative routes from Poland and Romania, providing significant assistance to Ukraine, Dombrovskis explained.

The EU is supporting Kiev by providing defense, financial and other assistance, with the aim of “retreating Russian troops beyond Ukraine’s international borders,” he noted.

Besides, the vice-president of the Commission expressed his concern about the fact that some countries – including China and India – do not participate in the Western sanctions against Russia.

In bilateral talks between India and European officials, the latter referred to the issue of Indian exports of refined oil which India processes after importing crude oil from Russia, estimating that in this way Western sanctions lose their meaning.

However, Dombroksis estimated that this fact is not likely to affect the ongoing discussions on a free trade agreement between India and the EU.