Grain ships left ports in Ukraine today, despite Russia’s indefinite exit from the so-called grain deal last weekend.

According to Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Kubrakov twelve ships Sailed out. According to the military command of the port city of Odessa, a record 354,500 tons of agricultural products were exported.

A United Nations spokesman told Reuters that inspections of grain ships have resumed. The inspections are part of the grain deal signed this summer to resume grain exports from Ukraine. The country is a major exporter of wheat and corn; Exports via ports came to a standstill due to the Russian invasion.

Some of the ships carrying Ukrainian grain that arrived in Istanbul for inspection today:

Moscow unilaterally pulled the plug on the grain deal on Saturday after Russian ships in Crimea’s Sevastopol port were targeted by a drone strike by Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. The United Kingdom was also involved in the attack, Russia said.

The Russians stated that in this way “they could not guarantee the safety of civilian ships”. Ukraine denies drone strike and says Russia itself is responsible for the explosions at the port. Moscow would use the alleged attack as an excuse to block grain exports.

Watch the consequences of Russia’s exit from the grain deal in this video:

Russia’s actions have sparked outrage in Ukraine, NATO, the European Union and the United States. US President Biden called the unilateral decision on Saturday “purely outrageous”. Now another deal has been signed between the UN, Turkey and Ukraine, but Russia is not participating in it for the time being.

Meanwhile, Turkey is trying to resume the grain deal with Russia. This country is involved in the original deal; Ship inspections are carried out in Istanbul. “Even if Russia is hesitant, we will resolutely continue our efforts to help humanity,” President Erdogan said in a speech.

“Transportation without an agreement is risky”

Kremlin spokesman Peskov has described the resumption of grain deliveries as “risky” without detailing the risks. He also did not comment on what would need to be done from a Russian perspective to resume the deal.

French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau said France wants to increase overland grain exports from Ukraine. These could be new road connections through Romania and Poland. He wants to reach agreements with the EU on this.