Disrupted Grain Deal to Be among Top Topics at EU Foreign Ministers Meeting – Borrell

The withdrawal of Russia from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the associated challenges will be among the main topics of the meeting of foreign affairs ministers of EU member countries.

Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced before the meeting that Russia has been attacking port infrastructure in Ukraine for the third consecutive night, destroying thousands of tons of grain for export. He emphasised that this is not just a blockade of grain exports but its physical destruction, which is a new development.

"This is a barbarian attitude which will be taken into consideration by the Council today. [During] the talks with [Minister] Kuleba, we will have more information, but what we already know is that this is going to create a huge food crisis in the world," Borrell said.

"There is only one solution: to increase the military support to Ukraine. If they are being bombed, we have to provide anti-aerial capacities. If the Russians are using drones, we have to provide Ukrainians with anti-aerial capacities to destroy these drones," the diplomat added.

Borrell mentioned that the ministers will discuss providing stable support to Ukraine in the long term, which would involve increasing resources from the European Peace Facility.

"I presented a plan to ensure the financial support for Ukraine in the next years, which will amount to quite an important amount of money. I hope the Ministers will support it," Borrell noted, adding that he doesn't want to disclose the figures until a decision is made.

The diplomat also pointed out that the situation with the "grain deal" means the need to increase exports through European "solidarity routes," which will require the readiness of member countries to cooperate.

Josep Borrell also mentioned that the US Secretary of State will remotely join the meeting, and they will discuss relations with China as well.

Relations with Turkiye will also be discussed.

On July 17th, Russia announced the suspension of the "grain deal" and threatened "risks" to the parties that consider continuing the initiative without Russia's participation.

The White House stated that Russia has installed additional naval mines on approaches to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.