Russia again blocks inspection of ships with Ukrainian grain in Bosphorus – ministry

On Monday, the Russian side for the second time blocked the inspection of ships sailing through the Bosphorus as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in the territorial waters of Turkey, the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development said.

"From April 10, the Russian side at the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) in Istanbul unilaterally stopped the registration of ships representing Ukrainian ports for the formation of an inspection plan. The Russians form their own inspection plan, choosing ships from the queue at their discretion, which is completely contrary to the conditions of the 'grain initiative' and unacceptable for Ukraine. As a result, for the second time in the nine months of the work of the 'grain initiative,' an inspection plan was not drawn up and not a single ship was inspected. This jeopardizes the functioning of the 'grain initiative," the ministry said.

It is noted that since November 2022, the Russians, under various pretexts, have been sabotaging and delaying the time of inspections, which has already led to a reduction in the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to world markets by 15-18 million tonnes.

Since April 2023, Russian representatives of the JCC have been trying to interfere in the activities of Ukrainian ports and exporters by imposing their own criteria for determining specific vessels participating in the "grain initiative." Since April 14, the Russians, without any explanation, refused to register three ships (two of which are China), which are already waiting for cargo in Pivdenny port.

"Thus, the Russian side is trying to establish control over the number of loaded fleet and the directions of its work, which is a violation of international norms and provisions of the 'grain initiative.' This is another attempt to dictate its policy to the whole world, jeopardize food security and use agricultural products as a weapon," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian side categorically rejects the next demands of the Russians and opposes interference in the activities of Ukrainian ports.

"We hope that the UN partners and Turkey will be able to ensure that all parties in the JCC comply with the procedures that have been working for nine months," the ministry said.

Source: www.en.interfax.com.ua