.jpeg)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of "barbarism" after the missile attack on the port of Odessa.
The strike came hours after Moscow and Kyiv signed an agreement to allow grain exports to resume from the port.
Russia has been widely condemned for the strike, with its Kalibr cruise missiles hitting the port's infrastructure.
Odessa regional governor Maksym Marchenko said an unknown number of people were injured in the attack.
In an evening speech on Saturday night, Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the "cynical" attack "barbaric".
He said Russia cannot be trusted to implement the landmark deal to restore grain exports from Black Sea ports.
"If anyone in the world can still say that there is some kind of dialogue with Russia, some kind of agreement is needed, and see what happens," he said.
"Today's Russian Kalibr missiles have destroyed the possibility of such a claim. The occupier can no longer deceive anyone."
The UN, EU, US and UK have all condemned the attack, with UK foreign secretary and prime minister hopeful Liz Strass calling it "appalling".
It is unclear how the airstrikes will affect plans to resume maritime shipments of Ukrainian grain in the secure corridor from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports (Odessa, Chernomorsk and Down South).
Ukraine and Russia signed the same memorandum of understanding with the United Nations and Turkey in Istanbul on Friday to support a plan that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed as a "beacon of hope" for a world of soaring food prices.
Command spokeswoman Nataliya Humenyuk said no grain warehouses were attacked in Odessa, but the Turkish defense minister said Ukrainian authorities told him that a missile hit one grain warehouse and another. One fell nearby. However, both had no effect on loading at the Odessa terminal.
Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky's office, tweeted that the strike in Odessa, shortly after the Black Sea deal was ratified, illustrated "Russia's diplomatic dichotomy."
Mr. Guterres' office said the UN secretary-general "unequivocally condemns" the strike.
"All parties have made a clear commitment at the global level to ensure the safe delivery of Ukrainian food and related products to world markets. These products are urgently needed to solve the global food crisis and alleviate the suffering of millions," a statement said.
Ukraine is a major grain exporter, but because of the war, about 20 million tons of grain are locked in its ports and cannot be exported due to the Russian army. This has led to food shortages and higher prices across Africa, which typically relies on Ukraine and Russia for wheat.
As part of Friday's deal, Russia agreed not to attack ports during grain shipments.
"Russia violated its commitments to the United Nations and Turkey under the Istanbul Agreement by launching a missile attack on the port of Odessa in less than 24 hours," said Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko. and obligations.
"Russia will take full responsibility for the global food crisis if it doesn't comply."
He described Russia's rocket attack on the 150th day of the Ukrainian war as "Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to reach a deal between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tajikistan" Ip Erdogan spat in the face".
Bridget Brinker, the US ambassador to Ukraine, denounced the Odessa port strike as "outrageous".
"The Kremlin continues to arm the food. Russia must be held accountable," she tweeted.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the attack cast serious doubt on the credibility of Russia's commitment to the deal and undermined the work of the United Nations, Turkey and Ukraine.
“Russia bears responsibility for deepening the global food crisis and must stop its aggression and fully implement the deal to which it has agreed,” he said.
0 Comments