International inspectors have begun to inspect the first cargo ship loaded with Ukrainian grain since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression. Experts from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations boarded the Razoni in Istanbul early Wednesday morning and began their work, the Turkish defense ministry said.
They must ensure that no unauthorized cargo is loaded. According to broadcaster CNN Türk, the team consists of 20 people. The inspection takes about an hour.
Continue to Lebanon after release
The ship, loaded with some 26,000 tons of maize from Ukraine, arrived Tuesday evening at the entrance to the Black Sea on the Bosphorus, which runs through Istanbul, and is anchored there. The experts were taken to the freighter in two boats, according to TV images. After unloading, the cargo ship will pass the Bosphorus and cross the Mediterranean to Lebanon.
Agreement must make grain export possible
The Razoni was the first ship to leave Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odessa on Monday as part of the agreement signed by Ukraine and Russia in late July. According to Kiev, more ships are already waiting to be released. They must be routed through a safe corridor through mining waters in the Black Sea and monitored by Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish and UN experts before heading for the Mediterranean. This is intended to secure the export of millions of tons of grain trapped in Ukraine because of the Russian war of aggression.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
