Zelensky Says Grain Deal With Russia Proves Ukraine Is Capable Of Resisting War

MADRID, 23 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, has positively valued the agreement signed this Friday between Ukraine and Russia to resume grain exports, and has assured that it has been "another demonstration" that Ukraine is capable of resisting "this war".

"Today, our state and the entire civilized world have reached an important agreement: there is a pact that allows us to unblock Ukrainian ports and restore Ukrainian agricultural exports (...). This is another demonstration that Ukraine is capable of resisting this war," the Ukrainian president assured in his daily address to the country's population.

Zelensky has assured that Ukraine will now be able to restore the functioning of its ports in the Black Sea, while maintaining the necessary protection for them. Likewise, he has stressed that the solution would have come from the Army and the Intelligence Services of the country.

However, he has blamed Russia that, "from the first day of the invasion", it would have done "everything possible not only to close Ukraine's access to the sea, but also to destroy the very potential of Ukrainian exports." "We do not allow it," added the president.

"It is clear to everyone that now there may be some provocations by Russia, some attempts to discredit Ukrainian and international efforts. But we trust the UN. Now it is its responsibility and that of our international partners to ensure compliance with the agreements" , has added.

On the other hand, the Ukrainian president has explained that for many months he has discussed with the United Nations and its partners the details of the initiative signed this Friday in Istanbul. "Many leaders have been involved in helping to restore our maritime exports. And I am grateful to UN Secretary General António Guterres and Turkish President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan for his efforts," he snapped.

In addition, Zelenski has reiterated that the agreement signed this Friday corresponds "fully" to Ukraine's interests and has detailed some of its most important points.

"About 20 million tons of last year's grain harvest will be exported. This year's harvest - which is already being harvested - will also be able to be sold. This is the income of farmers, the entire agricultural sector and the state budget. These are jobs. These are funds for next year's planting," the Ukrainian president said, adding that Ukraine has about 10 billion euros of grain in stock.

Secondly, Zelensky has said that "there is a possibility of reducing the seriousness of the food crisis caused by Russia", as well as the possibility of avoiding "a famine that could lead to political chaos in many countries of the world, in particular in the countries that help us".

Finally, the Ukrainian president has underlined the importance of all Ukrainian territorial waters being controlled by the Ukrainian state.