Grain Exports Need Credible Defense: Ukraine

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded that other countries respond strongly to Russia's attempts to disrupt grain exports.

According to the Reuters news agency, in response to Russia's suspension of the grain export agreement from Ukrainian ports, the president of Ukraine said that a reliable and long-term defense is needed for grain exports.

Despite Russia's withdrawal from the agreement, ships continue to be loaded with grain from Ukrainian ports.

In a video address late Tuesday night, President Zelensky said that thanks to Turkey and the United Nations, ships are still leaving Ukrainian ports with cargo, but long-term defense is needed.

One of the global effects of Russia's war on Ukraine is the crisis of food shortages and food inflation.

A July 22 deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey with Russia provided safe passage for ships carrying grain and fertilizer exports from Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president said that if Russia is made to realize that it has disrupted the export of grain, the world will give a strong response. The problem here is the lives of millions of people.

The purpose of the grain export agreement is to bring more wheat, sunflower oil and fertilizer to the world market, lowering their prices and saving the citizens of poor countries from famine.

The goal of the agreement is to ensure the export of 5 million metric tons of wheat from Ukraine per month, in line with pre-war levels.

 The UN coordinator said on Tuesday that he expected less heavily laden ships to leave Ukrainian ports on Thursday.

Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov tweeted that eight ships are expected to pass through the corridor on Thursday.

In response to the attack on the Russian fleet on Saturday, Moscow announced its withdrawal from the grain export agreement.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that Ukraine had attacked ships of the Black Sea fleet in the port of Sevastopol, the largest city on the Crimean Peninsula, using 16 drones.

After Russia suspended the agreement, it was feared that the export of grain from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea would be suspended.

Russia has informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a letter that it is suspending the agreement indefinitely because it is unable to ensure the safety of merchant ships.

The historic agreement, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, allowed the resumption of wheat and fertilizer exports from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea.

After the Russian attack in February this year, Russian warships blocked the shipment of about 25 million tons of wheat and other grains at Ukrainian ports.

It should be noted that Russia and Ukraine produce 30% of wheat imported worldwide.