Ukraine will be ready to export grain through the Black Sea" without the participation of the Russian Federation

Ukraine's Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi said in an interview with Reuters that the country would be ready to continue exporting grain through the Black Sea as part of "Plan B" without support from the Russian Federation in the event of a disruption of the agreement due to Russia's actions.

"The latest actions that are taking place there, it is more telling that in fact it only legally looks like this corridor is working, but in reality nothing much is happening there. We will be ready for plan B, which depends on us, depends on the UN. I don't think we'll stand by if this continues. Plan B excludes the fourth party, Russia, from these relations," said Mykola Solskyi.

In fact, as reported by the media, the Russian Federation has already blocked the use of the main Black Sea port "Pivdenny", despite the agreement, and allows only one ship a day to deliver Ukrainian food. The Russian side has said that it will let more vessels through if all parties to the grain deal agree to unblock the transit of Russian ammonia through the pipeline through the territory of Ukraine to Pivdenny for export.

On this occasion, the Secretary of the NSDC, Oleksiy Danilov, said that Kyiv could consider the transit of Russian ammonia for export via the Tolyatti-Odesa pipeline.

"This is a very difficult question. The only thing that can be said is that if the conditions for our country are guaranteed by our partners, the issue can be considered," Oleksiy Danilov said on the air of the Rada TV channel.

Oleksiy Danilov added that certain decisions will be made taking into account the national interests of Ukraine. The Secretary of the NSDC emphasized that the Russian Federation continues to blackmail the world with fertilizers, as it, together with Belarus, has a monopoly on certain types of fertilizers. Oleksiy Danilov noted that the issue of grain export is related to national security, as it allows to receive money that is necessary for the Ukrainian military, pay salaries and receive weapons. The Russian side uses the recovery of the ammonia pipeline as one of the tools of blackmail.

We will remind that, according to the reports of a number of mass media, which are quoted by Reuters, the UN proposed to Kyiv, the Russian Federation and Turkey to start preparatory work for the transit of Russian ammonia through Ukraine. According to reports, at the beginning of this work, the UN wants to conduct parallel negotiations on the expansion of the grain agreement to include more Ukrainian ports and cargoes. Apparently, Ukraine and Turkey have already agreed on a new proposal aimed at improving work in the Black Sea grain export corridor, but the Russian Federation has not yet responded.

"As you recall, the Secretary General put forward some ideas to the parties to improve the simplification of the work of the Joint Coordination Center, as well as work on the issue of ammonia exports, which is part of the agreement that was signed. Negotiations and contacts are ongoing," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric emphasized in this regard.