15 May 2023 16:36

Zelensky believes there's politics behind decision to ban Ukrainian grain import

MOSCOW. May 15 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky believes that there is politics behind the decision of a number of countries to ban Ukrainian grain import.

"I am grateful to the neighbors who support us, but, to be honest, there is politics behind that. Our access to the Black Sea is blocked and we need help [...] We can't risk relations with certain countries," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Zelensky as saying in an interview with Italian media on Saturday.

"And I understand that some political movements are taking advantage of this situation and are talking farmers into blocking grain shipments. But they have no right to block transit," he said.

"We will sort out these issues," the Ukrainian president said.

Zelensky revisited this topic the following day at the Charlemagne prize awards ceremony in Aachen, Germany, during which he called on European countries to refrain from putting up barriers but to strengthen ties between countries instead.

"When we now see instead of the strengthening of our ties any fresh barriers that are so reminiscent of old mistakes - whether they be barriers in politics or barriers in trade policy - we see a threat not to one European nation but to the whole of Europe," he said.

When addressing Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Zelensky said, "Mateusz, any seeds of misunderstanding between anyone in Europe should not give rise to conflict! This is in the fundamental interests of our peoples. Europe gains strength and prosperity every time there is minus one barrier on the continent."

Poland and other countries in Eastern Europe earlier banned the import of grain and some other food products from Ukraine.