VIDEO: UN chief ‘warmly welcomes’ departure of first Ukraine grain ship

Gulf Today Report

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres “warmly welcomes” the departure on Monday of a first ship carrying Ukrainian grain under a plan to lift Russia's naval blockade, a spokesperson said.

"The Secretary-General hopes that this will be the first of many commercial ships moving in accordance with the initiative signed, and that this will bring much-needed stability and relief to global food security, especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts," the UN said in a statement.

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The sailing was made possible after Türkiye and the United Nations brokered a grain-and-fertiliser export agreement between Russia and Ukraine last month.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres addresses a session. File photo

"The first grain ship since #RussianAggression has left port. Thanks to the support of all our partner countries & @UN we were able to full implement the Agreement signed in Istanbul," Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Monday hailed the departure of the first shipment of grain from the port of Odessa since the start of Russia's invasion as a "relief for the world".

"The day of relief for the world, especially for our friends in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, as the first Ukrainian grain leaves Odesa after months of Russian blockade. Ukraine has always been a reliable partner and will remain one should Russia respect its part of the deal," Kuleba tweeted.