Zelensky ‘cancelled’ grain transport deal – Russian Duma speaker – RT Russia and the former Soviet Union
Vyacheslav Volodin says Ukrainian grain export deal cannot continue on ‘old terms’
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has canceled the international agreement on the transport of grain by using the safe passage of the Black Sea to strike Russian warships, said Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament. Moscow says kyiv sent attack drones through the designated route for grain ships.
“Resuming the grain deal is impossible as long as the secure corridor is used for terrorist attacks,” Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel on Tuesday. « With his actions, Zelensky has canceled all agreements negotiated by Türkiye and the UN. »
The top lawmaker said the use of the Security Corridor for the attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet is « unacceptable » and that the grain agreement « cannot exist on the old terms. »
As part of the agreement reached in July, the parties agreed to unblock the export of grain and other agricultural products from Ukrainian ports. Ukraine, a major producer, is among the key suppliers of wheat, corn and barley.
On Saturday, Moscow accused kyiv of sending air and sea drones to strike warships in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, which is home to a naval base. A minesweeper was damaged in the raid, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The ministry said the drones were moving along the corridor set up for grain ships and that a device could have been launched from a civilian vessel hired to transport grain. Moscow also said a British Navy unit orchestrated the attack. London dismissed the charge. Russia subsequently announced the closure of the corridor on Monday.
Zelensky accused Russia of blackmail and « deliberately exacerbating the food crisis. »
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said only 3-5% of grain that was shipped through the safe corridor went to poorer countries.
The UN, however, reported last month that 27% of ships went to “low- and lower-middle-income country” such as Egypt, Kenya and Bangladesh. He said 26% went to « upper-middle-income country » such as Türkiye and China, while 47% went to « high income » nations like Spain and Italy.
You can share this story on social media:
rt
