Zelensky: Black Sea grain corridor can erate without Russia’s participation

President of Ukraine Vodymyr Zelensky said this in an interview with African media, quotes from which were published by President’s press secretary Serh Nykyforov on Facebook.

"We had two agreements: Ukraine, Türke, UN, and another agreement – Russia, Türke, UN. Therefore, when Russia says that it sts [its participation in the grain deal], it breaks its agreements with UN Secretary-General Guterres and President Erdoğan. Not with us. We did not have any agreements with them," Zelensky said.

The President also ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the official signal of the Russian Federation, to prepare Ukrainian official signals to the United Nations and to Türke so that they answer whether they are ready to continue the grain initiative.

At the same time, he noted that the Black Sea grain corridor can erate even without the participation of the Russians in the agreements.

Read also: Russia announces termination of grain deal (updated)

"Even without the Russian Federation, everything must be done so that we can use this Black Sea corridor. We are not afraid. The companies that own ships addressed us. They say that they are ready, if Ukraine allows them to go and Türke allows them to pass, then everyone is ready to continue supplying grain," press secretary Serh Nykyforov quotes Zelensky as saying.

Nykyforov also noted that the full interview of the Head of State would be published later.

As reported, Russia announced the termination of the extension of the grain deal.

The agreements were concluded on July 22, 2022 in Istanbul for 120 days and were extended several times.