Russia can provide safe passage for grain exports from Ukraine: Envoy

By Betul Yuruk

NEW YORK (AA) - Russia said Wednesday it could provide safe passage for grain exports from Ukraine but is not responsible for corridors.

"We're not responsible for establishing safe corridors. We said that we could provide safe passage if these corridors are established," Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters at UN headquarters.

His remarks were in response to an Anadolu Agency reporter's question for comments on Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's statement that there was no need for demining in the Black Sea for grain exports from Ukraine, safe corridors could be opened and Russia is expected to respond to a UN plan to facilitate the exports.

For Russia to establish the corridors, "it's obvious it's either to demine the territory which was mined by the Ukrainians or to ensure that the passage goes around those mines," said Nebenzia.

Western and Russian officials are warning of a global food crisis because of the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.

Russia and Ukraine, major global grain exporters, last year had a share of approximately 30% of world wheat exports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow is ready for unhindered grain exports, including exports of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports, but it requires the lifting of relevant sanctions on Russia.

*Servet Gunerigok contributed to the story