Von der Leyen: EU to keep assisting Ukraine's exports after grain deal collapse.

The EU will continue helping Ukraine to export its agricultural products through the "solidarity lanes" as Russia terminated the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said[1] on July 18. "I am deeply concerned about Russia's move to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite the efforts of the United Nations and Turkiye," von der Leyen said at a press conference following the summit between the EU and Caribbean and Latin American countries. "The risk is that it brings food insecurity to so many vulnerable countries across the globe.

The European Union will, by all means, continue to work to ensure that food security for vulnerable people is given." The EU Commission presented the solidarity lanes in May 2022 to facilitate Ukraine's agricultural exports, even before Turkey and the U.N. brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July of that year. According to von der Leyen, more than 45 million tonnes of grain, oilseed, and other products have been exported via the solidarity lanes and another 35 tonnes have been shipped thanks to the grain deal.

"It is important that the blocking of the Black Sea is stopped and that the exports via the Black Sea can keep on going," the EU Commission president said. Russia decided not to prolong its participation in the grain deal after its expiration date on July 17, effectively terminating[2] the agreement. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed that Moscow's demands regarding logistics, insurance, and international payments have not been met.

The move attracted international criticism and sparked fears of rising food prices worldwide. The EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell[3] and U.S. State Secretary Anthony Blinken[4] denounced Russia's step as blackmail and vowed to assist Ukraine with its exports.

Ukraine war latest: Grain deal collapses after Russia pulls from agreement

Key Developments on July 17: * Grain deal collapses after Russia pulls from agreement * Crimean Bridge damaged after reported explosions * Military: Russian forces on the offensive in Lyman-Kupiansk direction * Foreign Ministry marks 9-year anniversary of Russian downing of MH17 * More Wagner...

News Editor

Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He also volunteers as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukrainer.

Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.

References

1. ^ said (ec.europa.eu)
2. ^ terminating (kyivindependent.com)
3. ^ Borrell (kyivindependent.com)
4. ^ Blinken (kyivindependent.com)
5. ^ Ukraine war latest: Grain deal collapses after Russia pulls from agreementKey Developments on July 17: * Grain deal collapses after Russia pulls from agreement * Crimean Bridge damaged after reported explosions * Military: Russian forces on the offensive in Lyman-Kupiansk direction * Foreign Ministry marks 9-year anniversary of Russian downing of MH17 * More Wagner... (kyivindependent.com)