Winked at Lavrov: “Why are they blocking the ports? Let the grain out of Ukraine” | World | T.W.

According to one Western official at the meeting, Blinken was very direct with his Russian allies: “To our Russian colleagues: Ukraine is not your country. Your grain is not your grain. Why are you blocking the ports? You have to let the grain in. Out.” Blinken doesn’t want to meet Lavrov alone.

For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier announced at a press conference that Russia is ready to negotiate with Ukraine and Turkey on ways to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

“We are ready to negotiate with our Ukrainian and Turkish counterparts. We have all solutions when it comes to Ukrainian grain,” the head of Russian diplomacy told a press conference in Nussva Duva, where he is participating in a meeting of foreign ministers. of the G20 countries. For this, he added, “Ukraine should blockade its ports, remove mines or guarantee safe passage (of ships) through mines.”

The important role of the military

Later, Lavrov added, “Outside the territorial sea of ​​Ukraine, Russia and Turkey are ready to go to the strait with them, ensuring the safety of the ships, and then, in the Mediterranean Sea, they will continue to go on their own. .” Lavrov emphasized that the military has a fundamental role in this process, as the plan envisages the use of naval forces.

“I cannot say when the talks will resume. I have not been in Moscow for several days, but we are always ready. I can confirm this,” he stressed.

Ukraine has condemned the blockade of Russian-occupied ports such as Berdyansk or Mariupol, while asserting that Russia will not block sea traffic, but for this Kiev must first de-mine Odesa port.

MS (efe/afp)