Kiev counts on alternate maritime route for grain exports

MOSCOW. Aug 30 (Interfax) - Ukraine is interested in reinstating the Black Sea Grain Initiative, while planning to bolster and develop the alternate maritime route for grain exports, which has been used by two ships to depart from Ukrainian ports, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said.

"Ukraine is interested in reinstating the Black Sea Grain Initiative," Ukrainian media quoted Kuleba as saying at a joint briefing with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in Paris on Tuesday.

"There is also an alternative. [...] There is a safe maritime route, and two ships have already departed from Ukrainian ports through it. This route [...] could be developed and bolstered. For instance, we have discussed how this route could be developed in the future," Kuleba said.

As reported, the Ukrainian foreign minister will visit Czechia and Spain this week. Kuleba will have talks with the French leadership and French defense industry majors in Paris on August 29-30.

Speaking of Kiev's relations with international partners, Kuleba said there had been no decline in the support for Ukraine by the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament. "There are certain voices that speak against," he admitted.

"We do not see any decline in the support by the Congress and the European Parliament. We can hear voices in America and certain voices in Europe suggesting that the support for Ukraine should be reduced. Obviously, in the United States this is related to the beginning election campaign. Still, all of that will pass, and we will cover this road," Kuleba said.