Ukraine, Croatia Agree to Use Croatian Ports for Grain Exports

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced that his country has reached an agreement with Croatia to utilize Croatian ports on the Danube River and the Adriatic Sea for grain exports.

Following a meeting with his Croatian counterpart, Gordan Grlić-Radman, Kuleba stated, "We will now work on creating the most efficient routes to these ports to maximize the benefits from this opportunity," adding, "Every open door is a real and effective contribution to global food security."

This development comes after Russia rejected the extension of the grain initiative agreement, linking its continuation to the removal of all obstacles facing Russian banks and financial institutions.

On July 22, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkiye, an agreement was signed to ensure the safe shipment of grain and foodstuffs stuck in Ukrainian ports due to the Russian military operation in Ukraine, facilitated by Turkey and international organizations.

Since then, the agreement has been extended several times. However, on July 17, Russia announced the suspension of its participation, raising international concerns about a potential global food crisis, especially considering Ukraine's significant role as one of the world's major grain suppliers.