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Russia has claimed its missile strikes in opposition to the Ukrainian port of Odesa over the weekend wouldn’t have an effect on grain exports.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned on Monday that Russia had solely focused navy infrastructure within the strikes, which occurred on Saturday.
The assault got here simply hours after Kyiv and Moscow had secured the battle’s first diplomatic breakthrough to renew grain exports from Ukraine, as fears develop of a possible international meals disaster.
“These strikes are linked completely with navy infrastructure,” Peskov mentioned. “They’re by no means associated to infrastructure that’s used for the export of grain. This could not have an effect on – and won’t have an effect on – the start of shipments.”
Ukraine had earlier described the weekend assault as a “spit within the face” of the settlement signed final week.
There was widespread scepticism that the deal might be applied, which has solely elevated since occasions on the weekend.
Ukraine’s grain exports have largely stalled due to Russia’s invasion. Each international locations are main exporters of grain, together with wheat, corn and sunflower seeds.
Earlier than Russia’s invasion, the 2 international locations accounted for almost one-third of worldwide wheat exports.
As a part of the deal, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, and concluded in a grand signing ceremony in Istanbul on Friday, the UN and Russia additionally signed an memorandum of understanding to facilitate unimpeded entry of Russian fertiliser and different merchandise to international markets.
“The UN ought to implement its half in regards to the oblique restrictions imposed in opposition to Russian grain and fertiliser shipments,” Peskov mentioned on Monday.
“There aren’t any direct (restrictions), however there are oblique ones that don’t enable us to totally fulfil these shipments, that are important for worldwide markets, and particularly these areas the place starvation is starting to change into particularly palpable.”
The Kremlin mentioned it was too early to say whether or not the deal can be successful till the mechanisms outlined within the settlement begin working.
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