Talk about a neutral sea corridor for Ukrainian food exports

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 21 May 2022 by Alex Teddy
Ukraine is a major exporter of grain, wheat, fertilizer and cooking oil. The UN warned that 400 million people mostly in Africa face malnutrition because Ukrainian food exports have almost halted. Ukraine ships out most of its food through the Black Sea. There is not the road and rail capacity to export serious consequences of food. Ukraine has lost control of all of its ports except Odessa. If Ukrainian merchant ships tried to transport goods from Odessa they could easily be sunk by the Russian Navy wreck the economy. World food prices are rising.The US has urged Russia to permit the export of Ukrainian goods. Turkey is negotiating with Russia to see if Moscow will grant safe passage for merchant ships from neutral countries to transport Ukrainian foodstuffs though the Black Sea and onto world markets. Ukraine has also accused Russia of stealing Ukrainian grain in the Russian conquered regions. Ukrainian exports have to go through the Bosporous - an 800 meter strait controlled by Turkey. Turkey is a NATO country but has the best relationship with Russia of any NATO country. It has not sanctioned Russia.20 million tonnes of grain are stuck in Ukraine.There is a talk of a UN General Assembly Resolution to demand that Russia allows safe passage for Ukrainian exports. A former US admiral said that US warships could escort neutral merchant ships exporting Ukrainian food. Such a solution was used successfully in the Arabian Gulf in the 1980s. There are sea mines in the Black Sea laid by both sides. This would make such missions perilous.

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