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Military operation in Ukraine

Russian deputy minister, UN under-secretary-general discuss grain export from Ukraine

It was stated that Russia won’t use the humanitarian situation in Ukraine to solve the problems of the special military operation, the Russian Defense Ministry said

MOSCOW, June 2. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin on Thursday met with UN Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths to discuss grain export from Ukrainian ports.

"On June 2, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel-General Alexander Fomin met in Moscow with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, during which the situation in Ukraine was discussed," the ministry said.

"The mechanism of engagement between the Ministry of Defense and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, accredited at the Russian ministry in Moscow, is functioning successfully," Fomin said. "In particular, there is a regular exchange of information on humanitarian issues, the security of convoys of international organizations is ensured, and the mission of evacuating the civilian population from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol has been successfully accomplished."

"Separately, the issue of grain export from the territory of Ukraine has been discussed," the ministry said.

Fomin said that Russia isn’t blocking Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. It was also stated that Russia won’t use the humanitarian situation in Ukraine to solve the problems of the special military operation, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The deputy minister said that since March, a humanitarian corridor has been opened, through which ships can leave the ports of Ukraine, and the Russian armed forces are ready to ensure their safety on routes to international waters. Fomin also told the UN under-secretary-general that Ukraine bears the responsibility for clearing mines at the Black Sea ports and fairways under its control.

"At the same time, it was emphasized that the food crisis is associated primarily with the sanctions of the US and the West, which disrupted supply chains, including restrictions on the export of grain from the Russian Federation, which is one of its main suppliers," the ministry said.

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Foreign policy Military operation in Ukraine

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