Kiev must commit not to use grain corridor for military goals: Russia
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The Russian defense ministry called on the United Nations to get guarantees from Ukraine regarding its use of the grain corridor.
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Lebanese-flagged bulk carrier Brave Commander leaves the seaport of Pivdennyi with wheat for Ethiopia, Odessa, August 16, 2022 (Reuters)
Russia said Monday that it wanted "commitments" from Ukraine not to use the grain exports corridor for military purposes after it suspended its participation in the grain deal that allowed for vital food shipments over Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian vessels in Sevastopol using said corridors.
"There cannot be a question of guaranteeing the safety of any object in this area until Ukraine makes additional commitments not to use this route for military purposes," the Russian defense ministry said on Telegram, calling on the United Nations to "get guarantees from Ukraine that it would not use the humanitarian corridor and Ukrainian ports designated for exports of agricultural products for hostile acts against Russia".
Moscow on Saturday withdrew from the landmark Turkey and UN-brokered agreement it signed with Ukraine in July that allowed vital grain exports after the massive attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet.
Ukraine responded by calling it a "false pretext", while US President Joe Biden called it "purely outrageous" and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Moscow was "weaponizing food".
Russia pointed fingers at UK "specialists" for aiding in the preparation and execution of the strike, in addition to having a hand in explosions that targeted the Nord Stream gas pipelines last month. The UK replied by rejecting the claims, stating that "the Russian Ministry of Defence is resorting to peddling false claims of an epic scale."
According to a report by a marine traffic website, two cargo ships carrying grain and other agricultural products left Ukrainian ports on Monday, even after Russia suspended its participation in the grain deal.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday that enforcing the agreement without his country's participation would be "dangerous".
Russia's suspension of the deal raised fears of shortages around the world as the grain deal is critical to facilitating the global food crisis caused by the blockades on Russian grain exports over the Ukraine war.
According to Peskov, Russia is prepared to compensate at its own expense for the undelivered grain supplies that did not reach African countries, as ships that were supposed to sail through the safe corridor under the UN-brokered grain deal remained stuck following Ukraine's attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet using western drones.
He added that talks were resumed between Russia, Turkey, and the UN regarding the grain deal. "Contacts with the Turkish side, as well as with the UN, are continuing through diplomatic agencies," Peskov confirmed.
