The grain crisis caused by the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine may be nearing a solution, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. “We are two steps away from an agreement with Russia,” Kuleba assured in an interview with the Spanish newspaper “El País” (Wednesday edition). His country is “ready to export grain to the international market”.
Representatives of Moscow, Kiev, Ankara and the United Nations will meet in Turkey on Wednesday to resolve the dispute over grain exports from Ukraine. Russia is accused of blocking Ukrainian grain exports.
Kuleba assured «El País»: «We are in the final phase (of negotiations) and everything now depends on Russia. If they really want it, grain exports will start soon.” We will try to eliminate all security concerns.
When asked what reasons Russia might have for allowing grain exports, the minister said: “I see only one reason: you want to show the countries of Africa and Asia that you want to protect them from (food) shortages.”
Although the foreign minister was optimistic, he conceded that everything was not yet settled. «True, Russia is not interested in Ukraine exporting. They know that when we export, we also generate revenue in international markets and that makes us stronger.”
Bild: Keystone