Gut five months after the start of the Russian war of aggression, the first ship with grain on board left Ukraine on Monday. The long-awaited end to the grain blockade triggered a positive response worldwide. The political leadership in Kyiv also expressed cautious optimism.
Meanwhile, the dispute over Russian warfare continues. The US accused Russia of “nuclear saber-rattling” while the Kremlin called for no nuclear war. According to US information, Russian soldiers in Ukraine are said to be using a nuclear power plant as a protective shield for their own artillery. Tuesday marks the 160th day of the war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyj sees a positive signal in the end of the grain blockade
After the resumption of grain exports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj was cautiously optimistic that he would be able to solve the global supply crisis and boost his own economy. “The port has started to work and this is a positive sign that there is a chance to stop the development of the food crisis in the world,” Zelenskyy said in his daily video message on Monday evening. According to him, 16 more ships are waiting in the ports to be dispatched.
Zelenskyj made it clear that the implementation of the grain agreement, which provides for an end to the Russian naval blockade, is also of enormous importance for Ukraine. It’s not just about billions in foreign exchange earnings. “About half a million Ukrainians are involved in growing export agricultural products, and if we add related industries, that’s an additional million jobs,” he said.
A spokesman for the Russian military assured on Monday evening that Russia would honor its commitments to implement the agreement. Moscow has taken all measures to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea. Corresponding corridors have been created for the Ukrainian ports.
In New York, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed the departure of the first grain freighter as a “small gesture of humanity”.
Criticism of Russia’s nuclear policy
Meanwhile, criticism of Moscow also came from New York: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of using its nuclear weapons for ruthless threats of war. Earlier statements by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin that military aid could have unprecedented consequences for Ukraine are “dangerous nuclear saber-rattling,” said Blinken on Monday at the start of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference in New York.
The statements are contrary to international agreements. “There is no place in our world for nuclear deterrence based on force and intimidation or blackmail. We must stand together to reject this.”
