Despite Russia’s decision to withdraw from a historic agreement intended to solve a worldwide food crisis, cargo ships filled with grain and other agricultural supplies departed Ukrainian ports on Monday.
A website that monitors marine activity reports that at least six ships, including the Ikaria Angel, which the World Food Programme chartered and filled with 30,000 tonnes of wheat for an emergency response in the Horn of Africa, departed Ukrainian ports on Monday.
“Civilian cargo ships can never be a military target or held hostage. The food must flow,” Amir M. Abdulla, the UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, tweeted on Monday.
According to the Joint Coordination Center (JCC), which has been monitoring the deal mediated by Turkey and the UN, a total of 12 ships were scheduled to leave Ukrainian ports on Monday and four were scheduled to arrive in the nation.
After accusing Ukraine of conducting a “massive” drone attack on its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, Russia informed the UN and Turkey that it was suspending its participation in the grain accord. Days later, the traffic spiked.
Ukraine has labelled the Russian charges as a “false pretext”.
Moscow also withdrew from ship inspections, which were mandatory under the deal.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to pursue efforts to keep the agreement in force despite Russia’s moves.
“Although Russia acts hesitantly… we will resolutely continue our efforts to serve humanity,” Erdogan said in a televised address.
