Zelenskyy, Rutte review consequences of Russian attacks on port of Odesa, work of grain export corridors
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a joint trip with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte to Odesa region, visited the marine terminal of Odesa commercial sea port and inspected the destruction caused by Russian shelling, according to the presidential website on Friday.
As Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine, Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov said, during the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative since August 1, 2022, over 1,000 ships delivered 32.9 million tonnes of agricultural products from Ukraine. In particular, 4 million tonnes to African countries, some 10.8 million tonnes to East Asia and 5.27 million tonnes to the Middle East.
"We continue to feed the world. We constantly heard the Russian narrative that only a small percentage of our grain goes to the countries of Africa and Asia. Now we see the real picture," Zelenskyy said.
After withdrawing from the grain deal on July 17, 2023, Russia carried out at least 17 massive attacks on port infrastructure facilities in Odesa region, as a result of which over 150 port and grain infrastructure facilities, six civilian ships have been destroyed or damaged; over 300,000 tonnes of grain have been destroyed, wounding at least 14 civilians.
Zelenskyy and Rutte were told about temporary routes developed by Ukraine for civilian ships to Ukrainian Black Sea ports. Since August 10, some 21 vessels have already been loaded.
Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksiy Neizhpapa briefed about the obstacles that Russia creates for shipping in the Black Sea, and the measures taken by the Ukrainian military to counteract this. "Ukraine adheres to its obligations to supply grain to African and other countries," he said.