In the dispute over the blockade of Ukrainian grain in Black Sea ports, Russia has denied any responsibility. During a visit to Turkey on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov blamed Ukraine itself for this.

Ukraine has so far refused to clear its ports or otherwise allow cargo ships to pass through, Lavrov said after a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara. The meeting did not bring any concrete results, such as the establishment of a security corridor.

“We are ready to ensure the safety of ships leaving Ukrainian ports,” Lavrov said. Referring to Ukraine, he added: “If now – as our Turkish friends tell us – it is ready either to clear mines or to ensure passage through minefields, then we hope that this problem will be solved.” Cavusoglu said, Turkey supports a United Nations plan involving all three countries. However, Kyiv and Moscow still have to agree to this.

More on the Ukraine war on Tagesspiegel Plus:

In fact, the Russian Navy has been blockading the Ukrainian Black Sea ports for more than three months since the war of aggression against the neighboring country began. Kyiv does not trust Moscow’s promises of safe passage. Lavrov downplayed global concerns about hunger crises. The problem with the export of Ukrainian grain is classified by the West as a “universal catastrophe”, although the Ukrainian share in the world production of wheat and other grains is less than one percent.