Russia agrees to resume inspections of ships passing through the "grain corridor"

Russia has agreed to resume inspections of vessels passing through the "grain corridor" to two ports in the Odessa region, namely the ports of "Odesa" and "Chornomorsk." This information was reported by Yuriy Vaskov, the Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine.

"As of the morning of May 19, it became known that Russia has agreed to resume inspections of the incoming fleet to the ports of 'Odesa' and 'Chornomorsk,' but has refused to inspect vessels heading to the 'Pivdennyi' port," stated Yuriy Vaskov.

The operation of the "grain agreement" has been extended for two months, and it was also announced that Russia would not obstruct the entry of Turkish ships into the ports of Mykolaiv and Olvia.

It's worth noting that, according to the General Director of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, Pavel Koval, Russia could potentially disrupt the operations of Ukrainian factories by slowing down the "grain corridor." He emphasizes that Russia is trying to hinder the movement of ships, especially those carrying more valuable goods, such as sunflower oil. If tankers carrying this oil are not allowed through the "corridor," it could lead to the shutdown of two or three sunflower processing plants in Ukraine. It is reported that the number of vessels passing through the "corridor" has significantly decreased since January, as Russia chooses to inspect vessels that are not a priority for Ukraine, causing delays in the delivery of raw materials to factories.