Now the Danube is actively used to export Ukrainian grain. But we perfectly understand that these are absolutely not the capacities that can be used for export. Because the ports of Odesa, Pivdenny, and Chornomorsk cannot work due to shelling and blackmail of the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, Russia is shelling Izmail to prevent work there as well. Obviously, we need to work on getting our ports unblocked. Because the food security of the whole world depends on them. But Putin doesn’t care if the whole world needs to be starved because of his personal absolutely mentally unhealthy ambitions, he is ready to do it.
There have been statements by the Ukrainian government regarding the need to ensure ships traveling through the grain corridor. But all the same, the support of our partners is very necessary. Without security guarantees, we will not be able to export grain, which means that we will not be able to provide the world with food.
A few days before, I read the report of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy. They said that as of August 7, Ukraine exported 2 million 577 thousand tons of grain and leguminous crops. And this is 577 thousand tons less than last year on the same date. It’s obvious that we really need to get the main ports up and running. The Danube is good, but not enough.
Of course, we need to establish ties with Africa and Asia. See how Russia is expanding its influence in African countries. They even held a whole forum, and Lavrov constantly goes to various events in African countries. Yes, the leaders of African countries came to Kyiv, but what happened then, do you remember? Putin staged another shelling of Kyiv. Putin’s money still has a significant influence in African countries, plus the propaganda work. And we get countries that are not very loyal to us and actually depend on our food. Although Putin tells them something completely different. Therefore, it is necessary to work with them and convey Ukraine’s point of view.
Regarding Asia, I can definitely say that we need to develop our relations with India. This is a very important country, but for some reason, they could not appoint an ambassador there for several years. It happened literally in June of this year. Or the ambassador was not in China for two years. Both India and China are important areas that must be developed and not left at a dead end. These are huge countries with a huge economy and influence in the world. But they forgot about it.
From the Editor: According to the order of the navigation order of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine No. 6 of 08.08.2023, new temporary traffic routes of civilian vessels to/from the Black Sea seaports of Ukraine were announced. At the same time, it is reported that there is a military threat and mine danger from the Russian Federation along all routes. The specified routes will primarily be used for the possibility of leaving civilian ships that have been in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdenny since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia on February 24, 2022.
Oleksiy Goncharenko, Ukrainian politician, member of the Ukrainian parliament, member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Vice President of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
