U.S. strongly condemns Russian missile strike on Odesa port

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a post on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

“The United States strongly condemns Russia’s attack on the port of Odesa today. It undermines the effort to bring food to the hungry and the credibility of Russia’s commitments to the deal finalized yesterday to allow Ukrainian exports,” the report reads.

As reported, on July 23, the Russian forces struck the Odesa Commercial Sea Port with Kalibr cruise missiles. Two missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defense forces. Two other missiles hit the port’s infrastructure facilities.

On July 22, following the quadrilateral meeting of Ukraine, Turkey, the UN and Russia in Istanbul an agreement was signed to allow exports of grain and other foodstuffs from the ports of Ukraine.

The agreement was signed by Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov on behalf of Ukraine, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on behalf of the UN, and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on behalf of Turkey.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu signed the agreement in the same format on behalf of Russia.

According to the agreements signed in Istanbul, it is planned to transport Ukrainian grain for export through the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk. The resumption of agricultural exports from Ukrainian ports can bring $1 billion in foreign currency revenue every month.

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