The cargo ship Asl Tia loaded with grain passes the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey after leaving Ukraine on November 2, 2022 ( AFP / Ozan KOSE )
Grain exports from Ukrainian ports resumed Thursday morning after Russia returned to the humanitarian corridor deal, with the G7 pledging to save Moscow from “starvation” and “death of cold” this winter.
At the same time, the IAEA said on Thursday it had at that time found “no signs of undeclared nuclear activity” at three sites inspected at the request of Kyiv, which Moscow accused of having evidence of the preparation of a “dirty bomb.” .
At noon, “seven cargo ships carrying a total of 290,102 tons of grain and agricultural products pass through the Black Sea Humanitarian Corridor under the Ukrainian Grain Initiative,” confirmed the UN delegation to the Center Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) in Istanbul, responsible for overseeing the international agreement.
Ukraine’s food exports hit 10 million tons on Thursday thanks to the Black Sea Initiative, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, calling for the extension of that grain deal that “reduces the risk of hunger in the world.”
Russia on Wednesday resumed its participation in this agreement on the export of grain and other agricultural products, signed in July under the aegis of the United Nations and Turkey, having received guarantees from Kyiv to demilitarize the humanitarian corridor through the Black Sea.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken with German Secretary of State Annalena Baerbock on November 3, 2022 in Muenster, Germany (POOL/WOLFGANG RATTAY)
According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, quoted by the official agency Anadolu, 426 boats have already followed this safe route since August 1.
– “Unpredictable and dangerous consequences” –
The United States, along with the UN, welcomed the outcome and lauded Turkey’s role, but stressed that the grains deal must now be extended beyond the planned November 19 deadline.
“Before deciding to proceed, an assessment must be carried out,” warned Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Moscow suspended its participation in the grain deal on Saturday after a naval drone attack on its fleet based in the port of Sevastopol in annexed Crimea.
A grain cargo ship in the Bosphorus in Istanbul on November 2, 2022 (AFP/Ozan KOSE)
The Russian army has accused Ukraine of conducting this operation, which hit at least one Russian military building, with the help of “British experts” and using the sea corridor reserved for grain exports.
Russia also summoned the British ambassador to Moscow on Thursday to inform her that “such hostile actions by the United Kingdom could lead to an escalation of the situation, which could have unpredictable and dangerous consequences,” Russian diplomacy said in a statement. London denies any involvement.
In the face of war, Switzerland invoked its neutrality to ban Germany from sending Swiss-made ammunition to Ukraine for the anti-aircraft tanks that Berlin plans to ship to Kyiv. Conversely, the Bulgarian parliament on Thursday decided to provide Ukraine with military assistance by sending arms after delays related to the country’s historical proximity to Russia.
The G7 nations, meeting in Munster, Germany, condemned Russia’s “treacherous methods” in its way of waging war, attempting to “starve, die of thirst or freeze people through attacks on civilian infrastructure, and should” “Consider options for further support to Ukraine”. Diplomatic Sources.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that 40% of Ukraine’s energy assets were damaged by Russian strikes.
War in Ukraine: The situation on November 2 (AFP / )
– prisoner exchange –
A building damaged by a strike on November 1, 2022 in Mykolayiv, southern Ukraine (AFP / BULENT KILIC)
On the ground, separatist authorities in eastern Ukraine announced on Thursday the release of 107 soldiers in a new exchange with Kyiv, which will hold the same number of prisoners on its side.
“We are taking back 107 of our fighters from Ukrainian prisons,” of whom “65 are from Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics,” one of the main leaders of the pro-Russian separatists, Denis Pushilin, told Telegram.