Ukraine may treat ships heading to Black Sea as military cargo starting July 21 - Defense Ministry

The Defense Ministry's statement says this. 

It is noted that this regime will take effect from 00:00 on July 21. The Ministry of Defense also warns of the relevant risks arising from this regime.

"The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine warns that starting from 00:00 on July 21, 2023, all vessels sailing in the Black Sea in the direction of the seaports of the Russian Federation and Ukrainian seaports located in the territory temporarily occupied by Russia may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks," the statement says. 

In addition, shipping in the areas of the North-Eastern Black Sea and the Kerch–Yenikale Canal of Ukraine is now prohibited as dangerous, starting from 05:00 a.m. on July 20, 2023. The relevant navigational information for mariners has already been published.

The Defense Ministry explains that this decision was made because "the Kremlin has turned the Black Sea into a danger zone," primarily for Russian vessels and vessels sailing in the Black Sea towards Russian seaports and temporarily occupied Ukrainian ports.

"Responsibility for all risks lies entirely with the Russian leadership. The fate of the Moskva cruiser proves that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have the necessary means to repel Russian aggression at sea," the statement says. 

Russia's termination of the grain deal

On July 16, the last ship loaded with Ukrainian agricultural products under the initiative left the port of Odesa. On July 17, Russia announced the termination of the grain deal. In response, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was necessary to continue using the grain corridor even despite Russia's withdrawal from the agreement. And Kuleba began urgent consultations at the UN.

The White House has condemned Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal, which played a crucial role in lowering global food prices.

On July 18, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported "certain risks" for parties that try to resume the Black Sea Grain Initiative without Russia's participation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that in order to provide food to the world's most vulnerable countries and preserve the ability to export Ukrainian goods, it is critical to restore transportation links across the Black Sea.

On July 19, it became known that Ukraine is considering transporting food as part of the grain initiative through the territorial waters of Bulgaria and neighboring Romania.

At the same time, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement threatening ships heading to Ukraine's Black Sea ports. On the same day, Putin named the conditions for Russia's return to the grain deal and demanded their immediate implementation.

The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said that the only response to Russia's threats to fire on Ukrainian grain ships could be to increase military aid to Ukraine.