Russia seeks to turn Black Sea into tool of pressure and intimidation – Sybiha
Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and civilian vessels in the Black Sea pose a direct threat to global food security, acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said after talks with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis on Aug. 16.
Acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned during talks with Greece's Giorgos Gerapetritis on August 16 that Russia's attacks on Ukrainian ports and civilian vessels in the Black Sea directly threaten global food security. Sybiha emphasized that freedom of navigation is a matter of principle and security for Ukraine and Greece, describing Russia's actions as an attempt to turn the Black Sea into a tool of pressure and intimidation.
He highlighted the consequences of Russia's ongoing missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, stressing that the escalating scale of Russia's terror necessitates urgent measures to protect Ukrainian airspace.
On August 14, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow has no intention of returning to the 2022-2023 Black Sea Grain Initiative or halting hostilities in the Black Sea. On August 13, Reuters reported that Ukraine presented a proposal for a mutual cease-fire on attacks in the Black Sea to Russia through a third party.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for a moratorium on attacks against commercial vessels in the Black Sea on August 8. In July, Russian forces intensified their assaults on Ukrainian port infrastructure and civilian shipping, causing significant disruptions; attacks on the Golden Leo, Gas Lisbon tanker, and Golden Rose bulk carrier led shipping companies to suspend operations at Odessa ports.
The United Nations warned in July that Russia's new wave of attacks on Black Sea ports and merchant vessels posed serious risks to global food security, with wheat prices rising 20% since the start of the month, reaching their highest levels since March 2024.
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