The Russian news agency reported on Wednesday that the UN coordinator's press office stated that "ship inspections under the Black Sea Grain Initiative have resumed following two days of negotiations." Ukrainian Minister of Agriculture Mykola Solskyi confirmed on Wednesday that "the export of Ukrainian grains and food products via Poland will resume after an agreement was reached during talks with Warsaw."
However, Solskyi expressed concerns regarding the status of an agreement with Moscow on the safe passage of ships transporting grain from Ukrainian ports to the Black Sea, saying, "It is impossible to predict the number of ships that Moscow will allow to pass." Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov also confirmed on Wednesday that "ship inspections are resuming under the UN-mediated agreement for the safe export of grain from Ukrainian ports to the Black Sea, despite attempts by the Russian Federation to disrupt the agreement."
In a separate situation, Bulgarian radio reported on its website on Wednesday, citing acting Prime Minister Galab Donev, that Bulgaria "has imposed a temporary ban on imports of Ukrainian grain except for those already in transit." The report quoted Donev stating, "Over the past year, a huge amount of food has remained in the country, disrupting food supply chains," adding, "We are forced to adopt this national measure as European authorities are still considering appropriate actions."
Additionally, the Russian news agency reported, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry, that "Ukraine and the UN are causing obstacles to the ship inspection processes for vessels transporting grain from Ukrainian ports, as well as for the registration of new vessels." Ukraine had indicated earlier this week that the "grain deal is at risk of collapse," but Moscow pointed out on Tuesday that "ship inspections under the agreement have resumed after a brief suspension."
