Ukraine proposes Turkey open grain corridor without Russia

kyivindependent: Ukraine has taken a pivotal step by formally presenting a proposal to Turkey aimed at reinstating a Black Sea corridor for Ukrainian grain exports, one that conspicuously excludes Russian involvement, as revealed by Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, on September 7.

The proposition gains weight due to the preexisting passage of cargo ships through the territorial waters of Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey in the Black Sea, as Ambassador Bodnar elucidated.

In the wake of Moscow's refusal to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July, the Ukrainian navy had taken the initiative to establish a provisional corridor, ensuring the safety of merchant vessels departing from Ukrainian waters.

Since its announcement on August 10, at least four vessels have successfully navigated through this corridor. While Turkey has yet to respond to the request, Ambassador Bodnar anticipates bilateral discussions between Ankara and Kyiv on this matter in the imminent days.

Turkey, a pivotal actor in brokering the initial accord in July 2022, continues to play a mediator's role as the rift between Ukraine and Russia deepens. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on September 4, deliberating the reinstatement of the initiative.

Erdogan expressed optimism, stating his hopes for an expeditious resolution, emphasizing that a fresh set of proposals from the United Nations had fostered "significant progress." However, Putin maintained that Russia would not consider resuming the deal unless Western sanctions were alleviated.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba decried this demand as "blackmail," a sentiment shared by Ambassador Bodnar, who concurred that lifting sanctions would be an "absolutely erroneous course of action."

Since July 2023, the Russian military has embarked on a campaign targeting Ukrainian port infrastructure, coupled with a declaration that all vessels bound for Ukrainian ports would be regarded as military targets, further exacerbating tensions in the region.