The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, on Sunday called on the Russian government to reverse its decision to abandon the indirect agreement with Ukraine to allow the export of grain from Ukrainian ports during the war, adopted by Moscow after denouncing a «terrorist attack» by Kiev in the Crimean port of Sevastopol against ships participating in this initiative.
The decision suspends an agreement, adopted in July thanks to Turkey’s mediation, considered by the United Nations as essential to provide urgent food aid to millions of people.
Russia, for its part, argues that the attack on the port means that it can no longer guarantee the safe departure of the ships participating in the operation.
The attack, according to Moscow, began at 4.20 a.m. Sevastopol and involved «nine unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as with seven autonomous marine drones.» «All aerial targets were eliminated,» Moscow has emphasized, stressing that «preparations for the attack were led by British specialists,» according to media akin to the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has denied any responsibility and accuses Moscow of using a «false pretext» to blackmail the international community.
Borrell, in his Twitter account, argues that Russia’s decision to abandon the agreement «endangers the main export route» not only for Ukrainian grain, but also for Russian fertilizers that were part of the pact signed in Istanbul.
«The European Union urges Russia to reverse its decision,» the EU’s top diplomat said on his Twitter account.
