Ukraine does not sign any documents with Russia in Istanbul - Podolyak

“Regarding the Istanbul agreement ‘on the export of Ukraine’s grain. Previously. Ukraine does not sign any documents with Russia. We sign an agreement with Turkey and the UN and undertake obligations to them. Russia signs a mirror agreement with Turkey and the UN,” Podolyak wrote on his Twitter account.

According to him, “no transport escort by Russian ships and no presence of Russia’s representatives in our ports. In case of provocations, an immediate military response”.

Podolyak also added: “Inspections of transport ships will be carried out by joint groups in Turkey’s waters in the event of such a need”.

As reported, as a result of Russia’s unprovoked aggression in Ukraine, more than 20 million tonnes of grain intended for exports, including within the framework of the UN World Food Program, turned out to be stuck. This put the most vulnerable countries of the world, in particular, those in Africa, at risk of hunger.

The EU has organized "solidarity lanes" on the border with Ukraine for the export of grain by land, road and rail transport, as well as inland waterways.

The Ukrainian delegation headed by Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov has arrived in Istanbul for negotiations on the grain issue.