The ambassador of Kyiv in Ankara said that among those receiving stolen grain from Ukraine by Russia were Turkish buyers. The ambassador added that he has seeked help from Turkey to capture those responsible for the illegal shipments.
About a third of the global wheat supplies is accounted for by Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine is also one of the main exports of corn and sunflower oil, while Russia is one of the main producers of fertilizer. However, there have been about 20 tonnes of grain stuck in the Black Sea since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar stated that the stolen grains were shipped out out of Crimea, noting that Kyiv was working with Interpol and Turkey to identify the culprits.
He told reporters:
"Russia is shamelessly stealing Ukrainian grains and getting it out from the invaded Crimea. These grains are being shipped to foreign countries, including Turkey. We have made our appeal for Turkey to help us and, upon the suggestion of the Turkish side, are launching criminal cases regarding those stealing and selling the grains."
Ukraine's Embassy in Ankara reported that the vessels involved in the stolen shipments of grain were the Finikia, Vera, Nadezhda, Sormivskiy and Mikhail Nenashev ships.
Ukraine's Embassy in Beirut informed Reuters that Syria had received about 100,000 tonnes of stolen wheat from Russia. The current conflict has contributed to the international food crisis, pressing the United Nations to introduce a plan re-opening shipping routes from various Ukrainian ports.
[Based on reporting by: Reuters]
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