From 00:00 Moscow time on July 20, 2023, all ships en route to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo
Admin I Wednesday, July 19, 2023
MOSCOW – The Russian Ministry of Defense has given all ships operating within the Black Sea up to Thursday, July 20 and at 00:00 hours Moscow time to leave or be considered legitimate targets and as potential carriers of military cargo.
The ministry issued the statement following the termination of Black Sea Grain initiative, following the decision of the United Nation and the West to fulfil the Russian side of the agreement.
“In connection with the termination of the Black Sea Initiative and the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor, from 00:00 Moscow time on July 20, 2023, all ships en route to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo”, the ministry said, adding “accordingly, the flag countries of such vessels will be considered involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime, the ministry said.
“In addition, a number of sea areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been declared temporarily dangerous for navigation”, it said, adding that relevant informational warnings about the withdrawal of safety guarantees to seafarers have been issued in accordance with the established procedure.
Speaking on the Black Ship Grain initiative, President Vladimir Putin said the grain deal was concluded exactly a year ago, on July 22, 2022.
“We extended this deal again and again, showed miracles of endurance and patience; Nobody [in the West] was going to fulfil the agreements, they just constantly demanded something from Russia. Just outright arrogance;
“The authority was undermined, among other things, by the leadership of the UN secretariat, which acted as a guarantor of the grain deal. I believe that the UN staff sincerely sought to fulfil all the promises made by the West, but they could not achieve anything, they did practically nothing to ensure the normal operation of the deal;
“The West did everything to derail the grain deal, spared no effort. The withdrawal from the sanctions of Russian exports of grain and fertilisers to world markets has not been completed.
“Moreover, Russia is being hindered even from donating Russian fertilisers to the poorest countries”, he said, adding that Russia will replace Ukrainian grain in the food market both commercially and free of charge.
He noted that the continuation of the grain deal in its current form has lost all meaning. “Starting from July 18, its implementation was completed”, Putin said, adding that Russia will consider the possibility of returning to the grain deal only if all the principles of Russia’s participation in this deal, without exception, are fully taken into account and implemented.
