Solskyi: ‘Grain corridor’ is 90% blocked due to Russia's actions

"Now it [‘grain corridor’] seems to be working de jure, but de facto the Russian Federation is trying to block any issue and any passage of ships. The operation is paralyzed by 90% of what could be and what was happening there several months or six months ago," Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi said during the national news telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The minister noted that currently Ukraine and international partners are working to ensure that the "grain agreement" is in effect after May 18.

He added that the Ministry has a back-up plan if the agreement is not extended.

As reported, on March 18, 2023, Ukraine, the United Nations, and Turkey agreed on the extension of the Initiative for the safe transportation of agricultural products across the Black Sea. According to Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction – Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, the agreement was extended for 120 days. At the same time, the Russian side declares that the agreement will be valid until May 18.

According to the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, as of May 8, 2023, 90 ships were waiting for inspection in the territorial waters of Turkey, of which 62 vessels were to be loaded. Inspections of inbound and outbound ships were suspended due to the actions of the Russian side.