To export Ukrainian grain, it is important to unblock Black Sea - Ursula von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this, Ukrinform reports.

"I am deeply concerned about Russia's move to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite the efforts of the UN and Turkey. There is a risk that this will bring food insecurity to many vulnerable countries around the world," she said.

She also emphasized that the EU will continue to work with all available means to ensure food security and will actively use 'solidarity corridors' on the borders with Ukraine.

"The Black Sea Initiative has provided an additional 35 million tons. So, we will probably continue to export agricultural products from Ukraine to the global market through the 'solidarity corridors'. But it is important to unblock the Black Sea and continue exporting through this route," added Ursula von der Leyen.

What is known about the grain deal

The agreement, known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, was concluded separately between Russia and the UN and Ukraine and the UN, with Turkish mediation, in July 2022 in Istanbul. It has since been extended several times.

In January, the Ministry of Infrastructure said that as a result of Russian actions in the Bosphorus, the world loses millions of tons of Ukrainian food every month. The occupiers are hampering the inspection of ships that export grain to third world countries.

In March 2023, the Russian Federation informed the parties to the agreement to extend the agreement for only 60 days instead of 120. The agreement was due to expire on May 18.

To continue it, the occupiers demanded:

• reconnection of Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT

• resumption of supply of agricultural machinery, spare parts and service

• lifting restrictions on insurance and reinsurance plus lifting the ban on access to ports

• resumption of the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline

• unblocking foreign assets and accounts of Russian companies related to the production and transportation of food and fertilizers.

On May 17, the grain deal was extended for 60 days. The Russians' demands were not met.

On June 5, the Russian Federation said it saw no prospects for extending the agreement in July, and on June 22, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said it did not see the Russians' readiness to continue the grain initiative.

Doubts about the continuation of the grain deal were also voiced in the UK on July 4.

On July 5, the UN announced its readiness to send a representative to Moscow to "save the grain deal."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on July 8 that his country is working on extending the grain deal for two years.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has offered Russian President Putin to extend the grain deal in exchange for reconnecting Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT. The Kremlin had demanded this earlier

On July 12, Turkey’s Erdogan said that he had received proposals from Putin to extend the grain deal.

On July 13, Putin said Russia will extend the grain deal when its demands are met. 

Ukraine is looking for alternative ways to supply grain to Africa, Europe and Asia.