Russia’s Vladimir Putin says ‘no problem’ to export grain from Ukraine, amid food crisis fears
- The president accused the West of ‘bluster’ by claiming Moscow was blocking shipments, saying it could be done via ports now under Russian control
- Putin also pushed for exports via Belarus, on condition that Western sanctions against his ally be lifted
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that there was “no problem” to export grain from Ukraine, after Moscow’s operation in Ukraine raised fears of a global food crisis.
“There is no problem to export grain from Ukraine,” he said in a televised interview, saying it could be done via Ukrainian ports, via others under Russian control, or even via central Europe.
Putin accused the West of “bluster” by claiming Moscow was preventing grain exports from Ukraine.
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The Russian leader mentioned the possibility of exporting via the Ukrainian ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov, which gives access to the Black Sea. Both are under Russian control.
He also said ports under Kyiv’s control, in particular, Odesa, could be used but called for the waters around the Ukrainian-held ports to be “cleared” of mines by Ukraine.
Russia would in exchange allow the ships safe passage, Putin said.
Other transport options include the Danube River via Romania, Hungary or Poland, he added.