MOSCOW, November 14. /TASS/. Ukraine has already transported four mln tons of cargo through the "temporary corridors" in the Black Sea created in August after the grain deal was terminated, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated on Telegram.
"The grain corridor is functioning. Now, we are passing the four mln ton mark for cargo, keeping up the pace," Zelensky wrote.
The grain deal expired on July 17. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly pointed out that the West exported most of the Ukrainian grain to its own countries. However, the main goal of the deal, which was to supply grain to the needy countries, was never achieved. On August 10, the Ukrainian Armed Forces Navy announced the so-called temporary corridors in the Black Sea for cargo vessels going to the ports of Chernomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny.
Kiev warned that military threats and mine hazards remained on the route, which was why only ships whose owners and captains "officially confirm their readiness to sail in these conditions" were allowed to pass through.
The UN, which brokered the deal, noted that Ukraine’s "temporary corridors" could not replace the grain deal, which provided for the export of four mln tons of food in just one month. Meanwhile, Ukraine also exports non-food products through these "temporary corridors."