Russia was pissed at the deal as they wanted to ship their own grain and fertilizer. The problem was that the Russian ships could not get insurance and without insurance they would not be allowed into ports. They were talking about walking out of the deal weeks ago if not months. In the end they stopped letting ships loaded with grain from leaving Odessa.
Ukraine says Russia deliberately delaying passage of 150 grain ships
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday accused Russia of deliberately delaying the passage of ships carrying grain exports under a U.N. brokered-deal, and said 150 vessels were waiting to be loaded.
Kyiv has exported almost 11 million tonnes of grains and other foods since July, when the United Nations signed the agreement with Russia, Ukraine and Turkey.
In a video address, Zelenskiy said the delay meant Ukraine grain exports were short 3 million tonnes - which he said was enough to feed 10 million people
The deal runs out in November but talks on an extension are not making much progress because Russian concerns are not being taken into proper account, Russia's U.N. ambassador in Geneva said on Thursday.
Zelenskiy said in Friday's video address that "the enemy is doing everything to slow down our food exports... as of today, more than 150 ships are queuing to fulfill contractual obligations on the delivery of our agricultural products."
"This is an artificial queue. It only arose because Russia is deliberately delaying the passage of the ships," he added, but did not give details.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday accused Russia of deliberately delaying the passage of ships carrying grain exports under a U.N. brokered-deal, and said 150 vessels were waiting to be loaded.
www.reuters.com
Ukraine Says Russian Inspectors Delaying 165 Cargo Ships In Grain Deal
Kyiv on Monday. Oct. 24, accused Russia of purposefully delaying the arrival from Turkey of more than 165 cargo ships heading to Ukrainian ports to be loaded with grain.
Russia’s inspectors “have been significantly prolonging the inspection of vessels… As a result, more than 165 vessels have been stuck in a queue near the Bosphorus Strait and this number continues to grow daily”, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.
“We have reason to believe that the delays in Russia’s inspections of the Grain Initiative’s vessels are politically motivated,” it added.
The vessels have been waiting to clear the meticulous inspection process required under the Turkish- and UN-backed accord aimed at getting Ukrainian grain to foreign markets and easing fears of a global food crisis.
Since the deal between Russia and Ukraine came into force on August 1, more than 8.5 million metric tonnes of grain and foodstuffs have left for Europe, the Middle East and to a lesser extent, Africa, according to data from the Joint Coordination Center (ICC) overseeing the agreement.
In a statement late on Monday, the ICC confirmed the delays but stopped short of pointing a finger of blame at any parties.
“The JCC is concerned that the delays may cause disruption in the supply chain and port operations,” it said.
A spokesperson for the Istanbul-based centre told AFP that over 170 ships were waiting in the Bosphorus in order to head to Ukrainian ports for grain loads.
Kyiv on Monday. Oct. 24, accused Russia of purposefully delaying the arrival from Turkey of more than 165… - Oct. 25, 2022. By AFP
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