Current land alternatives cannot replace the lost Black Sea route following Russia’s decision to terminate the grain deal, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. He added that Ukraine cannot simply accept that the deal is over, vowing to work to try and find a solution.
There are alternative routes for Ukrainian grain and oilseed exports by rail through Eastern Europe, but they can’t readily cope with the volume that Ukraine wants to export.
Russia’s attempt to secure concessions for Ukraine’s exports by blocking the deal is “blackmail” that should “not be tolerated,” the minister also said. Instead of playing this game, Russia should simply operate in good faith and implement the Black Sea Grain Initiative without reservation.