Russia claims missile strikes on Odesa will not affect grain deal
Moscow says it targeted military infrastructure
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Russia has claimed its missile strikes against the Ukrainian port of Odesa over the weekend would not affect grain exports.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia had only targeted military infrastructure in the strikes, which took place on Saturday.
The attack came just hours after Kyiv and Moscow had secured the conflict’s first diplomatic breakthrough to resume grain exports from Ukraine, as fears grow of a potential global food crisis.
“These strikes are connected exclusively with military infrastructure,” Mr Peskov said. “They are in no way related to infrastructure that is used for the export of grain. This should not affect – and will not affect – the beginning of shipments.”
Ukraine had earlier described the weekend attack as a “spit in the face” of the agreement signed last week.
There has been widespread scepticism that the deal will be implemented, which has only increased since events at the weekend.
Ukraine’s grain exports have largely stalled because of Russia’s invasion. Both countries are major exporters of grain, including wheat, corn and sunflower seeds.
Before Russia’s invasion, the two countries accounted for nearly one-third of global wheat exports.
As part of the deal, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations (UN), and concluded in a grand signing ceremony in Istanbul on Friday, the UN and Russia also signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate unimpeded access of Russian fertiliser and other products to global markets.
“The UN should implement its part about the indirect restrictions imposed against Russian grain and fertiliser shipments,” Mr Peskov said on Monday.
“There are no direct (restrictions), but there are indirect ones that do not allow us to fully fulfil these shipments, which are vital for international markets, and especially those regions where hunger is beginning to become especially palpable.”
The Kremlin said it was too early to say whether the deal would be a success until the mechanisms outlined in the agreement start operating.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments