Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday in a video address that the country will face its most complicated winter since independence.  To prepare for heating, Ukraine will suspend exports of natural gas and coal to meet domestic supplies.  However, he did not say when exports would stop.

 

Ukraine's foreign ministry said it would reject any agreement to lift the port blockade that does not take into account Ukraine's interests

 

No agreement has been reached between Ukraine, Turkey and Russia to lift the "blockade" of Ukrainian ports, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on June 7 local time.  Ukraine stressed that decisions must be taken with the participation of all interested parties and that any agreement that does not take into account Ukraine's interests will be rejected.

 

The statement said Ukraine appreciated Turkey's efforts to lift the blockade of Ukrainian ports.  But it should also be noted that there is currently no agreement on this issue between Ukraine, Turkey and Russia.  Ukraine considers it necessary to provide effective security guarantees for the resumption of Shipping in the Black Sea, which should be provided through the provision of coastal defence weapons and the participation of forces from third countries in patrolling the Black Sea.

 

The statement stressed that Ukraine is making every effort to lift the blockade to prevent a global food crisis.  Ukraine is currently working with the United Nations and relevant partners on the possibility of establishing food corridors for Ukrainian agricultural exports.

 

Turkish Defense Minister Akar said on June 7 that Turkey is in close consultation with all parties, including Russia and Ukraine, on the opening of food transport routes and has made positive progress.

 

Akar said it is important to get ships carrying grain that have stopped at Ukrainian ports out of the Black Sea region as soon as possible to resolve the food crisis in many parts of the world.  To this end, Turkey is in communication with Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations and has made positive progress.  Consultations are continuing on technical issues such as mine clearance, construction of safe passage and escort of ships.  Akar stressed that all parties are willing to solve the issue, but the key to solving the issue lies in building mutual trust, and Turkey is making active efforts to this end.