Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday assured that his country was ready to continue grain exports through the Black Sea, despite the suspension of the agreement by Russia.
“Even without Russia, everything must be done so that we can use this corridor (for export) in the Black Sea. We are not afraid,” Zelensky said in a comment shared by his spokesman Sergei Nikiforov on Facebook.
Russia on Monday suspended the agreement on the export of grain through the Black Sea from Ukrainian ports, citing the failure to fulfill its obligations towards the Russian side.
“The grain deal is on hold,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during a daily press conference by phone.
“When the Russian-related part of the Black Sea agreement is completed, Russia will immediately return to implementing the agreement,” Peskov said.
A Kremlin spokesman said the attack on the bridge connecting Crimea to the Russian mainland was not a factor in the decision to suspend the deal.