(GENEVA, SWITZERLAND) – Ukraine has called on the World Trade Organization to help restore safe shipping in the Black Sea, warning that Russian attacks on port infrastructure and foreign civilian vessels carrying Ukrainian farm products pose a serious threat to the global trading system and food price stability.
Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to international organisations in Geneva, Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, made the appeal during a meeting on Friday with WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. He said the global system of civilian maritime security faces major challenges, whether around the Strait of Hormuz or in the Black Sea waters.
Tsymbaliuk said Russian attacks on Ukraine’s port infrastructure and on foreign civilian vessels transporting Ukrainian agricultural products have intensified significantly in recent weeks. He stated that Russia continues to use food as a weapon and as a means of pressure on the international community.
Ukraine intends to continue providing exports through ports that remain open and by using the Solidarity Routes, Tsymbaliuk said. He noted that the new Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is taking firm steps to achieve this.
Tsymbaliuk added that government efforts urgently require support from the international community and cooperation with key participants in international trade, including the WTO, to counter the existing threats. He said free and safe civilian navigation in the Black Sea is a key condition for guaranteeing global food security and the proper functioning of the world trading system. Russian attacks on civilian ships and port infrastructure must stop immediately, he said.
WTO Director General Okonjo-Iweala expressed support for Ukraine, which she said continues to contribute to food security under extremely difficult conditions. She agreed that the uninterrupted export of Ukrainian products will be of decisive importance for ensuring global food security and maintaining stable prices for products on world markets.
Okonjo-Iweala assured that the WTO will remain an active participant in international cooperation in formats aimed at ensuring shipping safety, food security and trade facilitation.
Ukraine is one of the world’s leading exporters of grain, sunflower oil and oilseed meals. Its agricultural exports were valued at more than $20 billion (around £15.7 billion or €18.3 billion) in the most recent marketing year. Disruption to Black Sea shipping routes directly affects supply chains to markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said earlier that Russia has attacked 31 commercial vessels in the Black Sea since the start of July. The Ukrainian government is preparing a package of decisions to protect export logistics in response to the mounting threats.