Senior Ukraine politicians have expressed doubts that discussions
aimed at unblocking exports of grains from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports will
happen anytime soon.
Bloomberg reported
Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba as declaring that several logistical
details needed to be worked out in talks taking place between Turkey, the
United Nations, Ukraine and Russia.
Turkey and the UN had recently been upbeat about the
talks, stating that progress had been made. Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan
Kuleba said that “we are just about a few steps from
the deal, but these steps are the most difficult. I don’t want to join the
chorus of those who say the agreement will take place next week”.
Kuleba said that talks were currently focused on
establishing delivery itineraries and mechanisms to secure cargo vessels. Also
required was a mechanism to make Odesa safe from Russian attack. “We need
firm guarantees. Those are the ones that are being worked out,” said
Kuleba.
He also doubted that Russia really wanted to reach an
agreement. “They don’t want to take off this stranglehold from our
economy, that’s why they are delaying this,” he said.
