Ukraine, Moscow stop grain ships: consequences for Italy

Wheat crisis (archive) – Photo by Ansa Foto

Russia has announced that it is indefinitely suspending its participation in the agreement on the export of wheat from Ukraine, signed in Turkey in July.

Why Moscow stopped grain exports

The decision was taken after the Kremlin announced a “massive” drone strike against its ships in Crimea, in Sevastopol Bay. According to Moscow, it was started by the Ukrainians with the help of the British. “The Russian side can no longer guarantee the safety of civilian vessels participating in the initiative,” Moscow said.

12 ships left the same

The United Nations, Turkey and Ukraine have reached an agreement to authorize the departure of twelve ships, despite the withdrawal of Russia. This was announced by Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov on Twitter: “Today 12 ships left Ukrainian ports. The UN and Turkish delegations provided ten inspection teams to check 40 ships in response to the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The inspection plan was accepted by the Ukrainian delegation. The Russian delegation has been informed”.

The consequences of the wheat stoppage for Italy

Moscow’s choice also falls on Italy, where shipments have been halted which last year, according to Coldiretti, amounted to 1.2 billion kilos of corn for animal feed, soft wheat and of sunflower oil.

Turkey intends to implement the agreement

Turkish President Recep Tayyp Erdogan has said that Turkey intends to apply the agreement signed in July under the aegis of the UN, “despite the hesitations of Moscow”.

“Even if Russia hesitates because it has not been offered the same facilities, we are determined to continue our efforts in the service of humanity,” Erdogan added.

France-Romania agreement to facilitate land exports

French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau today confirmed the initiative already announced by Poland to “help Ukrainians with European partners”, following Moscow’s decision to suspend the wheat deal.

The minister ruthlessly told Rmc that the objective of the Europeans is “to ensure that if you cannot cross the Black Sea, you must take the land routes so that those who need grain can get it at a reasonable price”.

“What we intend to do is to continue to activate a device that does not put us in the hands and the good will (in this case, the bad will) of Valdimir Putin, who opens and closes the Black Sea according to his mood or second his geopolitical interests”, explained the Minister. This position comes after a cooperation agreement signed in September between France and Romania to facilitate the export of cereals by land.