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Ukrainian diplomat says Kiev’s position on ports issue remains unchanged

Military equipment is required to protect the coastline, Oleg Nikolenko pointed out

KIEV, June 8. /TASS/. Ensuring the operation of Ukraine’s ports requires military equipment and Black Sea patrols, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said, commenting on a statement by Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov.

"Ukraine has made its position on the sea ports clear: military equipment is required to protect the coastline and a navy mission to patrol the export routes in the Black Sea. Russia cannot be allowed to use grain corridors to attack southern Ukraine," Nikolenko wrote on Twitter.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at a press conference following talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on June 8 that Moscow would not take advantage of demining activities at Ukrainian ports for military purposes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out earlier that Moscow was ready to provide an unhindered passage to ships carrying Ukrainian grain provided Kiev cleared its ports of mines, and also could ensure exports through ports controlled by Russia, namely Berdyansk and Mariupol. According to the Russian leader, Ukraine may also export grain by land, with a route via Belarus being the most logical one, but the option requires the lifting of Western sanctions on Minsk. Putin also noted that problems on the global food market had begun back in February 2020. He dismissed statements that Russia was allegedly blocking grain in Ukrainian ports as mere bluffing.