Despite the expired grain deal with Russia, Zelenskyy insists on the continuation of grain exports across the Black Sea. That is why he is calling for a meeting of the new NATO-Ukraine Council.
Zelenskyj urges resumption of grain deliveries
Despite the expired grain deal with Russia, Zelenskyy insists on the continuation of grain exports across the Black Sea. “Any destabilization in this region and the disruption of our export routes brings problems with associated consequences for everyone in the world,” he said in his daily video address on Saturday night. The increase in food prices is the smallest problem.
On Monday, Russia let an agreement signed a year ago to export Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea expire because, according to the Kremlin, Moscow’s demands to facilitate the export of agricultural products had not been met. Since last summer, the agreement has allowed Ukraine to sell nearly 33 million tons of grain and food by sea to other countries, despite Russia’s war of aggression. Even during the war, Ukraine remained the World Food Program’s largest wheat supplier in 2022.
Meeting of the new NATO-Ukraine Council
At the request of Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg convenes a meeting of the new NATO-Ukraine Council next Wednesday. The aim is to discuss the latest developments and the transportation of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, alliance spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said Saturday night. The meeting should take place at ambassador level.
Shortly before the announcement, Stoltenberg had called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Stoltenberg then said: “We strongly condemn Moscow’s attempt to use food as a weapon.” The Allies would assist Ukraine for as long as necessary. Zelenskyy said he and Stoltenberg had discussed the implementation of the summit agreements and further steps to integrate Ukraine into the Western Defense Alliance. Necessary steps have also been identified to unblock grain transport across the Black Sea and secure it in the long run. However, he did not say what those steps are.
At the NATO summit in Vilnius a few days earlier, the 31 members of the defense alliance decided to further intensify cooperation with Ukraine and to set up the new NATO-Ukraine Council. A new multi-annual support program was also approved.
journalists killed
Media representatives were injured and killed in two different locations in Ukraine on Saturday. A Russian military correspondent has been killed in the south of the country, according to information from Moscow. Shortly afterwards, a Deutsche Welle cameraman was wounded by Russian fire in eastern Ukraine. “Four journalists suffered injuries of varying severity from cluster munitions fired by the Ukrainian armed forces,” the Russian defense ministry said. The correspondent of the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti, Rostislav Zhuravlyov, died of his injuries on the way to the field hospital.
According to Deutsche Welle, a station team in eastern Ukraine came under Russian artillery fire while filming at a Ukrainian army training area just over 20 kilometers behind the front near Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region. The cameraman, Yevhen Shylko, suffered shrapnel injuries from Russian cluster munitions.
Leopard Tank Repair Center opens in Poland
A repair center in Poland for Leopard tanks delivered to Ukraine, requested by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), has been completed and commissioned. This was announced by Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak on Saturday evening. The first two Leopards have already arrived at the Bumar factory from Ukraine,” the national conservative minister wrote on Twitter on Saturday.
Several dead after shelling in eastern and northeastern Ukraine
Several people were killed and injured by Russian shelling in Ukraine. In the city of Kuyansk in the Kharkiv region in the east of the country, a resident was killed by Russian shelling on Saturday, the local prosecutor reported on Telegram. Another person was killed and one injured in the shelling of Dvorichna in the Kupyansk area, it said. According to the military administration of the Sumy region in the northeast of the country, several cities were shelled with artillery or helicopters on Saturday. The information could not be independently verified.
What will be important on Sunday
Russian President Vladimir Putin receives Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko for talks in St Petersburg. In addition to issues of economic cooperation and the joint fight against sanctions, there are also security aspects. Belarus is Russia’s closest ally. In Ukraine, the Kiev counter-offensive continues, especially in the south of the country. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
