The deal to end Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian seaports and grain exports remains a long way off because Moscow is using the talks to push through its military goals and ambition to dominate the Black Sea, Kyiv’s chief negotiator said.
Turkey and the United Nations are trying to mediate an end to Russia’s naval blockade of the Black Sea, which has crippled Ukrainian exports and raised fears of global food shortages.
But Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s deputy economy minister and leading trade negotiator, said Russia’s efforts to conquer the south were hampering the deal and rumors of a breakthrough were “more optimistic than reality”.
“If there are talks, we will participate. But this does not mean that we will agree to every option that is on the table, “said Kachka. “Any attempt to base a food security solution on Russia’s goodwill or grace will not work or be trusted.
Kachka’s comments came days after G-7 leaders called on Vladimir Putin to lift the blockade of the Black Sea ahead of Ukraine’s upcoming summer harvest, fearing that the country’s grain storage capacity could be quickly depleted unless space will not be cleared. Ukraine accounts for about 13% of world grain exports.
Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine: “If there are talks, we will participate. But that doesn’t mean we’ll agree with every option that’s on the table. ”© Fabrice Coffrini / Pool / AFP / Getty Images
Kachka said the blockade was part of Russia’s plan to dominate the Black Sea and exercise power over world commodity markets, as it has done in Europe, using its natural gas exports.
“Grain as a commodity is better than gas because demand is not flexible. For gas you can just switch to coal. Everyone needs bread, “he added.
Among Russia’s conditions for ending the siege is to be allowed to inspect ships entering and leaving Ukrainian ports. Kachka likened the idea of piracy.
“What does it mean that Russia has the right to check?” Is it right to veto [ships]? Or it’s just some kind of extra payment to corrupt Russian military officers. . . like Somali pirates? ”he said.
Other “technical solutions”, including what he said was a Turkish proposal to co-ordinate shipments, do not address the underlying uncertainty caused by the war, Kachka added.
Russian missiles hit Odessa, Ukraine’s largest port, on Monday as part of a wave of air strikes across the country. Ukraine is also attacking Russian-occupied natural gas platforms in the Black Sea and Snake Island, which are close to shipping lanes.
Russia said on Thursday it was withdrawing its forces from Snake Island in a “gesture of goodwill” that could lead to a deal to unblock ports. Ukrainian authorities have declared victory, saying Russian forces have been forced to surrender the island under heavy bombardment.
Russia has said that if Ukraine removes mines placed in its waters after the invasion, it will allow ships to leave ports. But Kachka said Ukraine could not deactivate its coastal defense while Russia remained able to invade the south again.
“They are trying to use it [the talks] as a way to legitimize their military presence there. That is impossible for us either. ”
Kachka said Ukraine would accept a third-country naval presence to escort ships, including “Her Majesty’s fleet or the United States or Turkey.” But Western countries oppose a direct confrontation with Russia, despite financial and armed support for Ukraine.
Russian smugglers have already exported grain looted from Ukrainian territory in recent weeks.
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Ukraine has stepped up exports of goods by land and barges across the Danube to Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta. But supply volumes are part of the overall pre-war.
“Russia is suffocating Ukraine by blocking its ports. There is no substitute for Black Sea ports in the supply of 50 million tons of soft goods on world markets, “said Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.
Even if an agreement can be reached to allow escorted ships through the waters, trade forwarders will be cautious about sailing through waters controlled by the Russian military, Hunder added.
“Russian missiles and warships are too much of a risk for merchant ships and insurance companies.
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