Ukraine allocates 20 bln hryvni to security insurance of ships operating outside grain corridor

MOSCOW. July 7 (Interfax) - Ukraine has allocated 20 billion hryvni to guarantee the financial security of ships ready to transport Ukrainian agricultural products outside the grain agreement, Dmitry Solomchuk, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Agrarian and Land Policy Committee, said.

"It was decided to allocate 20 billion hryvni of insurance guarantee funds. Even if Russia does not guarantee security and stands against the corridor, ships will be able to enter [the Ukrainian sea ports]. There are ship owners who are ready to enter, and Ukraine will guarantee their financial security using this insurance fund of 20 billion hryvni," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Solomchuk as saying at a briefing on Friday.

Speaking about the prospects of the extension of the grain corridor's operations following July 18, Solomchuk said he believes the decision on it would be made one or two days before the date of the termination of the agreement.

"Hopefully, the decision will be positive," he said.