Russia Accuses Ukraine of Blocking 70 Ships at Its Ports

Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of blocking 70 foreign ships from 16 countries at the country’s ports.

On its part, Ukraine, which is one of the world’s largest grain exporters, accused Russia of blocking grain exports by its naval blockade of Ukrainian ports, causing a global food crisis.

The international community has been calling on Russia to allow the export of Ukrainian grain for weeks.

Russia and Ukraine are among the world’s largest grain exporters and play a vital role in ensuring global role security.

The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told TASS that a Turkish delegation is scheduled to visit Moscow next week to discuss the issue of Kyiv’s suspended grain exports.

The Russian defense ministry reported that the Port of Mariupol in southern Ukraine, under Russia’s control, began to operate again, as a Turkish ship became the first foreign ship to leave the port on Tuesday, according to TASS.

The ministry noted that Moscow opened safe sea lanes allowing access to ports in Kherson, Mykolaiv, Chornomorsk, Ochakiv, and Odesa.