Turkey Released a Ship with Grain Coming from Occupied Berdiansk

Turkish authorities have released the Russian cargo ship Zhibek Zholy, which arrived with a cargo of grain from occupied Berdiansk.

"Thanks to the prompt intervention of the relevant Ukrainian authorities, this vessel was not able to unload stolen goods and was detained. A request was sent to Turkish authorities to detain the ship and its cargo. At the same time, ignoring the appeal from Ukrainian authorities, the ship was released on the evening of July 6," states the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted in connection with the current unacceptable situation that the Turkish ambassador in Kyiv was summoned to the Department.

"The Ukrainian government has received this information with deep disappointment and appeals to the Turkish authorities with an urgent request to conduct an investigation into this situation and provide a detailed response to the requests made by the relevant Ukrainian authorities, as well as to use every means possible to prevent similar cases in the future," the statement reads.

In late June, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavušoğlu said that Ankara takes seriously the reports of Russia's illegal export of grain from Ukraine and will not allow its import into its territory.

But, despite assurances by the Turkish authorities that the country is not buying Ukrainian grain from the occupied territories from Russia, investigative journalists for "Skhemy" (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) have provided evidence to the contrary.