Great Britain supported in in principle, Lithuania’s proposal for naval coalition “of desire” to lift the Russian blockade of the Black Sea on Ukrainian export of grain.
Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis proposed the plan during negotiations with british Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, on Monday in London.
“Time is very, very short. we are closing in on a new harvest and there is no other practical way of export of grain except through the Black Sea port of Odessa,” he told The Guardian. “There is no way of the storage of this grain and the absence of another suitable alternative route. It is extremely important that we show vulnerable countries we are ready to take on steps which are necessary for nutrition world”.
Landsbergis proposed a naval convoy operation, not run NATO – could protect ships with grain when they went through the Black Sea and past Russian warships. He suggested that, in addition to Great Britain, countries who have been affected by the potential loss of grain, such as Egypt, could provide the necessary protection.
“What we have seen now just Start. The worst is yet to come in in next five to seven weeks when first harvest arrives and no place so to speak means people in North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia will pay exorbitant prices for wheat, corn and other commodities they need put food on your table.” According to him, Ukraine needs to export 80 million tons of it’s just wheat year and the only option was through Odessa.
His plan is in the making for weeks, demining parts will be required of Black Sea in ensure safe passage as well as agreement of Turkey, which guards the entrance to the Black Sea.
“It wouldn’t-military humanitarian mission and not comparable with no-fly zone,” he said. “In this quest military ships or aircraft, or both, will be used to ensure that grain supplies could safely leave Odessa and reach the Bosporus without Russian intervention. We will need a coalition of wishing – countries with significant naval power to protect shipping lanes and countries who are affected by it.”
NATO as an alliance should don’t take the role, he said.
After meeting with Landsbergis, Truss said that the UK want British warships in join escort if practical issues could be resolved, including clearing the harbor and securing Ukraine with longer-range weapons to protect the harbor from the Russians attack. United Kingdom in discussions with allies about the plan, and that’s probably need The US agreement will be activated.
Truss said: “What are we need do this thing with This global food security issue and UK works on urgent solution for obtaining grain out of Ukraine”.
UN secretary generalAntonio Guterres, warned of “Hurricane of hunger if Ukrainian grain is not exported. world41 minimum-developed countries import a third of its wheat from Ukraine and Russia. Rising food prices have led already induced rate of inflation in Egypt in highest level since mid-2019.
Sign up on First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7:00 am Moscow time.
asked how Britain reacted to his plan, Landsbergis said: “From my point of view, government interested in aid to Ukraine in Any way it can. Great Britain has taken some very strong and decisive steps in this crisis and perhaps there is chance that the UK will participate. Great Britain was first country supplies missiles shield Odessa”.
He said Lithuania one of Ukraine’s closest allies in west, studied how Ukraine will feed world for weeks.
Landsbergis announced alternative routes by rail through Belarus or by road to the ports of the Baltic Sea in Poland and Lithuania had serious practical shortcomings, while bottlenecks and complete transshipment would mean that it would take Ukrainian trucks five to nine weeks to reach ports by road. in Romania, Poland or Lithuania.
Turkey, Landsbergis acknowledged, had doubts about the potential for escalation inherent in in his schema. However, he indicated out that as a major importer of grain, Turkey had self-interest in open sea lanes up unless Russia voluntarily lifts the blockade.
