Ukraine suggests expanding Grain Initiative to the ports of Mykolaiv and Olvia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed to expand the Black Sea Grain Initiative to the ports of Mykolaiv and Olvia in the Mykolaiv Oblast.

He stated this in his video message to the participants in the G20 summit in Bali.

Zelenskyy stressed that the work of the UN and Turkey and other partners have demonstrated "how the cooperation of the few can restore food security for the many."

"I believe our grain export initiative deserves an indefinite extension, no matter when the war ends. The right to food is a fundamental right of every person in the world. Since July, Ukraine has exported more than 10 million tonnes of food by sea. We can increase exports by several million tonnes per month. 

Thus, to this end, I propose to expand the grain export initiative to our other ports, in particular to the ports of Mykolaiv and Olvia in Mykolaiv Oblast," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president also called on the summit participants to join the humanitarian "Grain from Ukraine" initiative and help the poorest countries with food.

The first vessel, the Nord Vind, under this programme is already going to Ethiopia with 27,000 tonnes of wheat on board, which can feed almost 100,000 people a year.

"There can be many such ships from Ukraine, and therefore there will be many people in poor countries who are saved from starvation. Ukraine can export 45 million tonnes of food this year. And let a significant part be directed to those who suffer the most," Zelenskyy added.

Note:

Ukraine is launching the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian food programme, which will provide grain to at least 5 million people by the end of spring 2023.

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