Russia attempts to block maritime corridor established by Ukraine - UN envoy
Photo: Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya (GettyImages)
Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, stated that Russia continues its attempts to block the maritime corridor, but Ukraine has successfully restored it, according to Ukrinform.
"Russia's attempts to blackmail the international community by withdrawing from the initiative have failed. However, despite the war, Ukraine has launched a maritime corridor and continues to enhance its efficiency," said Kyslytsya.
The Permanent Representative provided export data, stating that nearly 30 million tons of goods were shipped from the ports of Odesa, Pivdennyi, and Chornomorsk to 42 countries worldwide.
"In February, over 8 million tons of goods were successfully exported. Agricultural products account for 80% of shipments from the ports. In fact, the export from Ukrainian Black Sea ports has reached a level comparable to that before the full-scale invasion," he added.
According to Kyslytsya, ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet no longer dare to appear in the north-western part of the Black Sea due to their decreasing numbers.
"All that Russia has left is to launch missiles, attempting to intimidate Ukraine and our trade partners," stated Kyslytsya.
In conclusion, the Permanent Representative emphasized the strengthening of Ukrainian port air defense.
Establishment of the maritime corridor
Following Russia's withdrawal from the grain corridor, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed to Turkiye and the UN to extend the grain initiative in a trilateral format. The government noted that Ukraine plans to insure ships traveling through the grain corridor.
In August 2023, Ukraine opened a maritime corridor primarily for the departure of civilian vessels stranded in ports since the start of the full-scale war with Russia.
