Ukraine supported Latvia's measures to restrict the transit of Russian grain
Ukraine welcomes Latvia’s preparations to restrict the transit of Russian grain and strengthen controls to prevent the shipment of stolen Ukrainian grain through its ports.
Tikhyi noted that Russia is currently contracting for the transport of large volumes of its grain through Latvia and its ports.
“We have been monitoring this very closely in coordination with the Latvian side, have been working proactively, and see that the Latvian government is taking measures,” said the Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
In particular, Ukraine has received “concrete signals” from the Latvian side regarding preparations to increase transit tariffs; there is also discussion of broader bans, as well as very thorough monitoring of attempts to transport stolen Ukrainian grain under the guise of Russian grain.
“We welcome these actions by the Latvian government and very much hope that they will be implemented quickly, and that Russia will not be able to take advantage of this, essentially, a window of opportunity in the friendly Baltic states to transport its products, because it directs the profits from them toward terror against Ukrainians and the continuation of aggression against Ukraine,” Tykhyi emphasized.
This was stated by Georgiy Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a briefing on Wednesday, September 16, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.
As a reminder, Latvia and Lithuania may halt the transit of Russian grain.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized statements by representatives of the Law and Justice (PiS) party regarding a possible blocking of Ukraine’s European integration. He called such calls “idiotic” and contrary to Poland’s interests.
Ukraine has officially opened the sixth cluster of negotiations on accession to the European Union. This is the “External Relations” cluster, which is the last of the six negotiation clusters on the path to EU membership.
