Following a deal with Russia mediated by the U.N. and Turkey, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a port in southern Ukraine to watch grain being loaded for export onto a Turkish ship, the presidency said on Friday.
“Since the start of the war, the first ship is currently being loaded.
This ship is Turkish “According to a statement from the presidency, Zelensky said.
He could be seen standing in front of the Polarnet in video footage taken at the Chornomorsk port and made public by the presidency.
According to the statement, exports could begin in “the coming days” as part of a plan to move millions of tonnes of Ukrainian grain stuck in Russia’s naval blockade to global markets.
“Our side is completely ready. Our military ensures the security situation while sending all the necessary signals to our partners, the United Nations and Turkey.
The UN and the Turkish side are in constant communication with the minister of infrastructure.
We are awaiting their signal before beginning, “Zelenskyy was reported to have said.
According to the presidency, several ships that were already loaded with grain when Russia invaded in February but were unable to set sail due to the start of the war will start the export of grain.
The agreement to lift Russia’s blockade, the first significant agreement between the warring parties since the assault started, aims to help lessen the effects of a global food crisis that has caused prices to skyrocket in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Before the war, Ukraine was one of the top exporters of grains, and as part of the plan, it plans to export produce totaling about 20 million tonnes, or about $10 billion.
Zelenskyy, who was accompanied by ambassadors from the G7 countries, said in the statement, “It is important for us that Ukraine remains the guarantor of global food security.”