The Voice of America with reference to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken reports that almost 90 ships are full of grain and ready to go, but can not do so due to the russian blockade of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. 20m tons of grain that are ready for shipment are near Ukrainian ports.
"In different parts of the country, it [russia] is literally blocking access to food and other humanitarian aid. It [russia] also uses food as a weapon outside of Ukraine, preventing Ukrainian goods from entering international markets,” Blinken said.
Blinken added that solution to the problem which threatens the hunger of several African countries, is required around the world.
"This food has to go to markets. And russia needs to hear it loud and clear. That is why we are looking for means and mechanisms by which this can be done. The Secretary-General of the United Nations is very involved in this process," said the US Secretary of State.
The Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Serhiy Kyslytsia is convinced that if concrete measures are not taken to unblock Ukrainian ports within the next two months, it will be a tragedy.
Kyslytsia added that on Thursday, May 19, the American side held talks with the Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine in New York.
"These were very specific and substantive negotiations - with figures, volumes, routes and tariffs. After all, it is necessary not just to open the port, but also to convince transporters to go to this dangerous zone and export grain in such quantities,” Kyslytsia explained.
He explained that the land route could not meet the volumes that Ukraine is ready to provide. Before the war, Ukraine exported 5m tons of grain a month.
But, according to Kyslytsia, now we are talking not only about last year's harvest, but also the autumn and winter harvests.
"And if this cycle is broken, it will be impossible to overcome the consequences of this crisis in the coming years," Kyslytsia concluded.
Canada is ready to send ships to European ports to deliver Ukrainian grain to those who need it.
The russian blockade interferes with the export of food from Ukraine. This threatens millions of people around the world with malnutrition and hunger. Therefore, the United States calls to end russia's blockade of Ukrainian ports. And the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterresvede has negotiated with russia, Turkey and other countries to open Ukrainian grain exports and prevent global food shortages.