By KYIV. Oct 31 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine will continue to implement this initiative within the framework of agreements with the UN and Turkey and hopes that the partner parties will "calm down" the rhetoric of the Russian Federation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Head of State recalled that there are two parallel documents in the grain deal, in particular, the first one was concluded between Ukraine, the UN and Turkey.
"Among these three subjects, I have not heard that someone was not coordinated and would like to stop the grain initiative. Therefore, here we continue, as agreed," Zelensky said at a briefing with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in Kyiv.
The second document was signed between Russia, Turkey and the UN. At the same time, the president noted that "I have not heard that Turkey or the UN violated it, because they are not interested in bringing hunger to the countries of Africa, Asia."
"Of course, if Russia says that it is withdrawing from the grain initiative, it says that it is withdrawing from the agreements of the last three parties. This suggests that Russia is violating these agreements," the head of state said.
As Zelensky noted, the world has already got used to this or that Russian rhetoric from official and unofficial representatives of the Russian Federation, nevertheless, he expects that partners will be able to "calm it down".
"I am sure and we will believe that the partners will be able to calm the rhetoric of the Russian Federation. For our part, we will continue the grain initiative. Because we understand that we bring stability to the world – in the food market," the president summed up.
As reported, on the afternoon of October 31, press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov said that without the participation of the Russian Federation, the export of Ukrainian grain would hardly be feasible. At the same time, he noted that from now on the grain transaction acquires a "risky and non-guaranteed character."
On October 29, Russia suspended its participation in the grain initiative unilaterally.
