Following a Saturday attack on the Russian navy in Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin called Ukraine on Monday to ask for assurances over the security of ships travelling via the grain export route. He also accused Kiev of being a “threat.”
At a press conference, Putin stated, “Ukraine must ensure that there will be no threat to civil ships.”
In order to support his decision to renegotiate the terms of the Ukrainian grain export deal, Russian President Kyiv was accused of exploiting the grain corridor to begin the attack that he blamed on it and that was based on him.
Putin claimed that Ukraine attacked the Black Sea fleet because it constituted a threat to both military and passenger ships, including his own.
Putin emphasised that Russia had not withdrawn from the accord but rather “suspended” its commitment to it in saying, “It is a threat to our ships and our civil ships.”
The arrangement established a safe route for grain-laden ships to take in order to reach Istanbul for inspection.
More than 9 were permitted for shipment under the agreement. 5 million tonnes of grain from Ukraine to date, with a renewal scheduled until November 19.
Putin urges Ukraine to guarantee sea navigation safety
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