Negotiations are underway between the Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations to allow some 20 million tons of grain blocked in Ukraine to be smuggled out through the Black Sea.
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The resumption of grain exports from Ukraine is a “question of life or death” but there is a “hope” that an agreement be found this week to unblock the port of Odessa, declared the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, on Monday 18 July.
The draft agreement aims to bring out through the Black Sea some 20 million tonnes of grain blocked in Ukrainian silos because of the offensive led by Moscow. “The lives of tens of thousands of people depend on this agreement” being negotiated between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations, explained the head of European diplomacy on his arrival in Brussels for a meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) devoted to the war in Ukraine.
At the same time, the EU intends to continue its pressure on the Kremlin with new sanctions as well as new financial and military support for Ukraine, announced Josep Borrell. The European Commission presented new measures on Friday, including an embargo on gold purchases from Russia. Ministers must also decide on the release of a fifth tranche of 500 million euros to finance military equipment and arms supplied to Ukraine.