Ukraine has agreed with Turkey on resuming the registration and inspection of vessels involved in the exports of agricultural products from the ports of Greater Odesa. Russia doesn’t take part in this process. The Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, Oleksandr Kubrakov, reported this after meeting with Hulusi Akar, the Turkish Minister of National Defense.
According to the Ukrainian minister, Russia stopped registering new incoming fleet for participation in the Grain Initiative on April 10, 2023, and refused to work according to the plans of Ukrainian ports. As a result, drawing up inspection plans became impossible, as did the addition of new vessels as part of the Grain Initiative.
During the previous two days, April 17 and 18, no inspection plan was drawn up and no inspection was carried out in the territorial waters of Turkey. On April 18, the Ukrainian side proposed to carry out at least two inspections of the incoming fleet and two inspections of the outgoing fleet. This proposition was also supported by the Turkish side but wasn’t implemented because of Russia’s position.
"By demanding that the work of Ukrainian ports be regulated through the determination of vessels that can take part in the initiative, Russia violated the official procedures of the Joint Coordination Center and the conditions of the Grain Deal. Demands to control and interfere in the work of Ukrainian ports are acceptable for us," Oleksandr Kubrakov noted.
He says that, although inspection of vessels will be resumed, there will be ongoing working consultations with the UN and Turkey on the ways to ensure full implementation of the Grain Deal, including the observance of all parties’ obligations and the procedures of the Joint Coordination Center.
According to the deal signed by Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey, Ukraine submits the names of bulkers for inspection daily. Last week and again on Monday, Russia rejected the names, which meant that no inspections were carried out and the Grain Corridor didn’t work.
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