Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will not block the operations of vessels carrying Ukrainian grain.
According to Russian news agency TAS, Putin said in an interview with Rossiya 1TV on the 4th (local time) about the recent global food supply shortage.
Putin’s remarks come amid criticism that Russia is triggering a global food crisis, especially in poor countries such as Africa, by blocking Ukrainian ports. Alternative routes to increase Ukraine’s food exports include land routes, Ukrainian ports, and ports in Russian-occupied territories.
“There are several ways to export grain,” Putin said.
He added that the use of Ukrainian-controlled ports must be demined. A prerequisite for grain shipments through Ukraine’s largest port city, Odessa, is to ease defenses against Russian warships.
“The simplest way is through Belarus,” Putin said. Belarus, located in northern Ukraine, is facing Western sanctions along with Russia after helping the invasion by giving up its territory to the Russian army.
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