Ukraine is negotiating with a number of countries and with the United Nations to unblock ports for the unimpeded export of grain, but weapons we receive from partner countries remain the main guarantor in this matter. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with media representatives on the occasion of Journalist's Day.
"It is important for us that we are ready to export grain. We now have Russia's information narrative that food shortages are due to Ukraine, due to the fact that we do not export. This is untrue, and you know it very well," the President said.
The President stressed that Russia is trying to spread this lie in Africa, Asia and Europe, where there may be a problem of food shortages.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that he had discussed the issue of unblocking Ukrainian ports with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
"We need a safety corridor for ships. So that the fleet of this or that state ensures the export of this grain. And we talked to both Britain and Turkey. Turkey is now finding a format on how to provide us with guarantees," the Ukrainian Head of State said.
According to him, the representatives of Turkey and Russia during the meeting in Ankara may raise the issue of security guarantees for the Turkish fleet during the export of Ukrainian grain.
The President also noted that Ukraine is considering alternative ways to export grain.
"There are several options for exporting our grain. We are negotiating with close countries, with the Baltic countries, with Poland on the export of small volumes by Ukrzaliznytsia. But this is not a good option for either us or them. And the risks of a deficit may remain due to the long export time," the President said.
The President stressed that ports remain a priority for the transportation of Ukrainian grain.
"We can export it very quickly. If now we have 22-25 million tons blocked, then in the autumn we may already have 75 million tons. What are we going to do then? That's why we can't do without ports," he said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the most powerful guarantee in this matter is the weapons that will be placed to unblock the water corridors for the export of grain.
"We are working on this with specific countries, on specific anti-ship systems, and we are already gradually getting them - I can say that. I think this is the best guarantee," the President said.
The Head of State stressed that Ukraine uses these weapons not for threats, but to demonstrate the ability to respond quickly to possible provocations by Russia.
"I see no more guarantees, except for the countries, the UN and our weapons concentrated near these corridors," summed up Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
