Russia's intensified attacks in the Black Sea, including strikes on Ukrainian ports and civilian vessels, are disrupting grain exports, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Thursday on X, reports UNN.
I spoke with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. We discussed Russia's intensified attacks in the Black Sea, including strikes on Ukrainian ports and civilian vessels. These attacks threaten freedom of navigation, disrupt grain exports, and, more importantly, they demand a strong and coordinated international response
According to him, both sides "focused on how France's presidency of the Group of Seven can help mobilize such a response, strengthen maritime security, and increase pressure on Russia."
"We also discussed additional air defense support, preparations for the upcoming winter, and France's continued support for Ukraine's EU accession. Grateful to France for its leadership and unwavering support," Sybiha noted.
Earlier, the Foreign Minister held phone talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mihai Popșoi. Sybiha once again congratulated his colleague on his reappointment. The sides discussed issues on the bilateral agenda, joint next steps on the path to EU accession, and emphasized the importance of the unconditional opening of all negotiation clusters.
Special attention was paid to the security situation in the Black Sea. Russia's constant attacks on civilian vessels and Ukraine's port infrastructure pose a direct threat to freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. Their consequences extend far beyond Ukraine, affecting regional and global food security.
"We agreed to continue cooperation with partners to strengthen the resilience of alternative logistics routes and grain export corridors. We also agreed to maintain close coordination, and I invited Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi to visit Ukraine in the near future," the head of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry noted.
Let us add
Earlier, the press quoted the head of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, Taras Vysotskyi, as saying that
shipowners have temporarily suspended vessel entry to Ukraine's Black Sea ports for agricultural exports following a recent surge in Russian attacks on ports and commercial shipping.