Currently, 117 vessels with Ukrainian grain are awaiting inspection in the Bosphorus.

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine explained why the Russians are blocking the operation of the “grain corridor”.

According to the Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy, Markiyan Dmytrasevich, agricultural production makes a very significant contribution to the inflow of foreign exchange earnings to Ukraine and to the economy in general. He announced this on the air of “Ukrainian Radio”.

“The Russians are trying to “stifle” us economically. In addition, the Russians are using this situation in the international arena, because very few people and politicians delve into the technical details of the “grain initiative”, how effectively it works and whether all opportunities are being used. That is, the facts are being manipulated.” “, – said the deputy minister.

According to him, 117 vessels are awaiting inspection in the Bosphorus. In order to restore the full operation of the “grain corridor”, according to Dmytrasevich, first of all there should be political pressure on the Russian side, which is creating these artificial problems in the Bosphorus.

He emphasized that Russia should be pressured not only by the United Nations and Turkey, but also by the rest of the civilized world, as due to the blocking of the “Black Sea grain initiative” food prices are rising not only in African and Asian countries, but also in Europe.

Dmytrasevich emphasized that in November 2022, when the Russians allegedly suspended their participation for a few days, during that time the queue of vessels waiting for inspection was significantly reduced.

Grain corridor – what is known

As reported by , on July 22, 2022, Ukraine and Russia, through the mediation of Turkey, signed separate agreements with the UN on the restoration of the export of Ukrainian agricultural products through the Black Sea after the start of a full-scale war. The documents provide for the export of products from the ports of “Chornomorsk”, “Odesa” and “Pivdenny”, as well as the creation of safe routes.

On August 1, the first ship with Ukrainian food left Odesa since February 24.

On November 17, it became known about the extension of the “grain initiative” for another 120 days. The UN and Turkey remained the guarantors of the implementation of this initiative.

On January 26, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine reported that the daily number of departures of loaded vessels through the “grain corridor” from Ukrainian ports fell to an anti-record figure. After all, during January, the number of ship departures from Ukrainian ports remained at the level of 2.7, that is, on average, it was 2-3 ships per day. At the end of January, the situation began to deteriorate and the daily number of courts dropped to 2.5. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy stressed that this is due to the artificial blocking of the “grain corridor” by Russian inspectors.