Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba condemns, in an interview with France 24, the recent strikes by Russia on Ukrainian ports, after Moscow’s withdrawal from the grain agreement in the Black Sea. “Russia’s goal is to aggravate the global food crisis, export its own grain unhindered and make as much money as possible,” he said, adding that this strategy helps fund the Kremlin’s war effort.
Dmytro Kuleba believes that the Russian strikes on the port of Reni, on the border with Romania, a member of NATO, are a way for Vladimir Putin to “test the reaction of NATO”. And for him, “NATO must react firmly and decisively”. He claims that Russian ships “wherever they are in the Black Sea are becoming legitimate targets”, in response to the Russian warning that civilian ships heading for Ukrainian ports are targets.
Ukraine’s foreign minister promises that Ukraine will continue to try to revive the Black Sea grain deal, which Russia has refused to extend. He added, however, that if this were not possible, another sea route would have to be set up for the export of Ukrainian grain, as well as for shipments to Europe.
He considers “unacceptable” the idea that Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria could block agricultural exports from Ukraine beyond the date of September 15 which had previously been agreed. These countries have obtained from the EU the right to block the marketing of Ukrainian cereals on their soil to protect their agricultural sectors. “One of the reasons why Russia is destroying our grain infrastructure is to create more tension between Ukraine and its neighbors. We should not play its game,” said Dmytro Kuleba, expressing hope that the issue can be resolved.
He says he is aware of Russia’s efforts to export its grain via Qatar and Turkey. For him, it would be “shameful” for a country to take part in such an agreement. He added that Ukraine was in contact with all parties.
Deprive Russia of its “power of blackmail”
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy says that the Russian president is organizing a Russia-Africa summit this week in order to “whitewash his reputation” and not in the interest of the African continent. Regarding the presence in Africa of the paramilitary group Wagner, he explained that Ukraine has a lot of information that could help African countries strengthen their security.
He adds that while Ukraine seeks to procure US-made long-range ATACMS missiles, it already receives some from the UK and France. So it’s not an item we don’t have. We need more, but in principle we have them”. Demining equipment is a “very current need”. And regarding the F-16 fighter jets, Dmytro Kuleba considers that “the deal is done”
He points out that if Ukraine had F-16s, it would not depend on Russian blackmail to export grain to world markets. “As soon as possible, we can have a corridor to drive down world prices and deprive Russia of its blackmail power.”
Source: France 24
