A senior Russian government official says Moscow could allow vessels carrying food to leave Ukraine’s Black Sea ports in return for the lifting of some sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian ports have been blocked since Russia launched its war against Ukraine on February 24, leaving more than 20 million tons of grain stuck in silos in the country.
Russia and Ukraine account for almost one-third of global wheat supplies. Ukraine is also a major exporter of corn and sunflower, and the blockage of its ports is contributing to a growing global food crisis.
“We have repeatedly stated on this point that a solution to the food problem requires a comprehensive approach, including the lifting of sanctions that have been imposed on Russian exports and financial transactions,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko was quoted as saying by Interfax.
www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukrainian-food-exports-blockade-rudenko/31867169.html