Discussed “unblocking” of Black Sea grain corridor with NATO Secretary General, says Zelenskyy

This phone call came on the heels of Russia calling off the crucial deal to ensure the safe passage of ships.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said that he held a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg on "unblocking" the Black Sea grain corridor. This phone call came on the heels of Russia calling off the crucial deal to ensure the safe passage of ships.

"Had a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg. We discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the Vilnius summit and further actions regarding the integration of Ukraine into @NATO," tweeted Zelenskyy. His tweet continued, "We shared assessments of the current situation in the Black Sea and the risks it poses for global food security. We also identified with Mr. Stoltenberg the priority and future steps necessary for unblocking and sustainable operation of the Black Sea grain corridor."

Earlier, Zelenskyy discussed the extension of the Black Sea grain deal with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan over a phone call, Al Jazeera reported on Friday. "The leaders discussed in detail the extension of the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement during the phone call held at the request of President Zelenskyy of Ukraine," the Turkish Communications Directorate said on Twitter.

During the conversation, Erdogan also emphasised that Turkey has made "intense efforts" to maintain peace. On July 17, Russia announced it was suspending its participation in a UN-brokered deal that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain. The agreement, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022, was scheduled to expire at 5 pm ET.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Moscow will not renew the agreement, saying it "has been terminated." The deal had allowed Ukraine to export grain by sea, as per the CNN report. In withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that its government was removing guarantees for safe navigation in the Black Sea, according to CNN.

Russia and Ukraine, both have warned each other against the travelling of ships in the Black Sea, saying that it will be considered as "potential military cargo". Moscow had also accused Ukraine of using the Black Sea grain corridor for "combat purposes".

Kyiv hit back at Moscow, stating that Russia must stop playing hunger games with people around the world. (ANI)

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