The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need to extend the "grain agreement" and make it open-ended. He announced this on November 15 speaking online at the G20 summit in Indonesia.
"Thanks to the powerful participation of the UN, Turkey and other partners, we have shown how the cooperation of a few can restore food security to the many. I believe that our export grain initiative deserves to be extended indefinitely, regardless of when the war ends. The right to eat is a fundamental right of every person in the world", – he said.
V. Zelenskyy also stated that since July 2022, Ukraine already exported more than 10 mln tonnes of food by sea.
"We can increase exports by several million tonnes per month. For this purpose, I propose to expand the grain export initiative to other our ports, in particular to the ports of Mykolaiv and Olvia", – he added.
In addition, the head of state called on the countries of the world, and, in particular, the G19 countries, to join the initiative to provide food aid to the poorest people.
"This initiative – Grain From Ukraine – has already been started by us. And the first vessel Nord Vind leaves for Ethiopia. 27 thsd tonnes of wheat are on board. This is the amount of food for almost 100 thsd people for year. There may be many such ships from Ukraine, and therefore, many people in poor countries who are saved from starvation", – the president said.
He reminded that Ukraine could export 45 mln tonnes of food this year.
"And let a significant part be directed to those who suffer the most. What exactly do we offer? Each country can contribute with a specific contribution and become a co-creator of the victory over hunger and the food crisis", – V. Zelenskyy summed up.
