Moscow was “notified” of the choice to allow cargo ships to travel safely via Turkish ports
On Monday, 12 grain-carrying vessels from Ukraine were given permission to depart Turkish ports, and despite Moscow’s decision to suspend its participation in the agreement that guaranteed the security of Kiev’s exports via the Black Sea, the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in Istanbul approved a plan to inspect an additional 40 ships.
The JCC said in a statement on Sunday that “the Ukrainian, Turkish, and United Nations delegations agreed on a movement plan for tomorrow, October 31 for the maritime humanitarian corridor of 16 vessels, 12 outward and 4 inbound.”
Additionally, the Ukrainian side accepted a suggestion that “the Turkish and UN delegations supply tomorrow 10 inspection teams seeking to verify 40 departing vessels,” without the involvement of Russian inspectors.
According to the statement, “all participants communicate with their respective military and other necessary agencies to ensure the safe passage” of the warships, and the Russian delegation was “advised” of both preparations.
Moscow has not yet released a formal statement, but according to a source cited by RIA Novosti, Russia is under “no obligations” as a result of any “decisions taken without us.” The Russian delegation did, however, show a willingness to “continue the dialogue” and “cooperate remotely on problems that demand rapid determination,” according to JCC.
After Kiev launched a significant drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet and civilian ships tasked with ensuring the safe transit of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports, Russia ceased its adherence to the agreement on Saturday. The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Sunday that those responsible for the strike made active use of the UN-mediated grain corridor after examining the wreckage of the unmanned combat vehicles.
Most of the drones were launched from the Ukrainian Black Sea coast, not far from the port city of Odessa, the Russian military said. “The naval drones were then moving within the security zone of the grain corridor before changing course and heading towards the Russian naval base in Sevastopol,” the statement said. Navigational data from at least one naval drone shows that it was launched from a sea location within the grain corridor security zone, the ministry added.
The breakthrough grain exports deal between Moscow and Kiev was reached in Istanbul in July with mediation by the UN and Türkiye. The agreement was praised as critical to easing the global food crisis and helping the world’s poorest nations to avoid starvation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, repeatedly accused Western nations of taking over grain exported from Ukraine, instead of allowing it to be delivered to developing countries. Following the blast on the strategic Crimean Bridge earlier this month, Putin also warned that if it turns out that Ukraine used grain corridors to smuggle explosives, “it would put the very existence of these corridors in question.”
