EU leaders call on Russia to end naval blockade in Ukraine
DANA HORDIICHUK — THURSDAY, 16 JUNE 2022, 20:07
During their visit to Kyiv, EU leaders said the blockade of Ukrainian ports was a direct result of Russian aggression and called on Russia to come to an agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain.
This was announced at a press conference on Thursday by French President Emmanuel Macron.
During the visit of French President Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, the parties discussed food security and the blockade of Ukrainian ports.
"This is a direct consequence of Russian aggression, there is no other explanation. It has absolutely nothing to do with European sanctions, as Russia wants to present it. Today we, from Kyiv, solemnly call on Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to reach an agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain," Macron said.
"This requires an end to the blockade of Ukrainian ports, and the Russian fleet should end the blockade," he said.
He noted that the parties had also discussed the initiative of the UN Secretary General in this context and supported a resolution in favour of unblocking Ukrainian ports.
Background:
Food security issues are to be discussed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Johannis to Kyiv.
