All is set for the first grain ship from Ukraine since Russia’s invasion to leave port of Chornomorsk, south of Odesa, the Black Sea.
President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed this when he arrived in Odesa today.
The President said Ukraine was ready but waiting for go-ahead from UN and Turkey.
President Zelensky further said it was important for Ukraine to guarantee global food security.
“While someone, blocking the Black Sea, takes the lives of other countries, we are giving them opportunity to survive”, he noted.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths says “crucial details” for safe passage of the grain ship are being finalised.
“That could only happen safely when the route through the Black Sea was finalised”.
The UN and Turkey brokered a deal between Ukraine and Russia a week ago to resume grain exports after a blockage which led to food price rises.
Under the agreement signed by Russia and Ukraine, the sea corridor, convoy and inspection of the cargo are all being organised by a joint co-ordination centre (JCC) in Turkey.
The more than six-month-old suspension of grain exports has led to food shortages across Africa.
