For first time in decades, there is no merchant fleet movement in Odesa - Zelensky

09:10, 10.05.2022 1 min read

European Council President Charles Michel visited Odesa and saw with his own eyes what a blocked sea means. For the first time in decades, there is no regular merchant fleet traffic in Odesa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video message on Monday evening.

"Ordinary life connected with the sea is blocked by Russia. And this is a blow not only to Ukraine - without our agricultural exports, dozens of countries in different regions of the world are on the verge of food shortages, and over time the situation can become frankly terrible," the president said.

According to him, "this is a direct consequence of Russian aggression, which can be overcome through pressure on Russia, forcing Russia to stop this shameful war."

"And, by the way, despite the presence of the President of the European Council, the Russian military again launched a missile attack on Odesa region. This is the real attitude of Russia towards Europe," Zelensky said.