EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell noted on Twitter on April 17, 2023, that about 50 ships with Ukrainian grain are again blocked by Russia in the Black Sea.
Source: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink
“The consequence of the war affect us all. Russia is once again blocking 50 ships with urgently needed grain in the Black Sea. The EU supports UN efforts & will continue facilitating exports through the EU Solidarity Lanes, which have brought 25bn tonnes of grain to the world,” tweeted EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
In turn, the United States Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, accused Russia of trying to choke the Ukrainian economy and slow down the flow of food.
“Right now, more than 50 ships are waiting at the Bosphorus for approval to go to Ukrainian ports to load grain that will feed those who need it. Russia is trying to choke Ukraine’s economy and slow the flow of food instead of abiding by the terms of its agreement,” Bridget Brink reported on Twitter.
The American diplomat added that vital wheat was sent to Yemen last month, a shipment financed by USAID, Spain and France, in support of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Grain from Ukraine initiative.
See also: Ukraine has already exported more than 3M tons of grain to African countries
