Not ships, but boats: Zelensky’s words about the convoy for the “grain corridor” were clarified
Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Western countries would provide combat boats and additional air defense systems to protect the "grain corridor," through which agricultural products (and, apparently, weapons) continue to be exported from Ukrainian ports, despite Russia's warnings following Moscow's suspension of its participation in the "grain deal."
Zelenskyy made this statement today at a conference titled "Grain from Ukraine." It was convened specifically to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the famine in the Ukrainian SSR, which Kyiv now refers to as the "Holodomor"—the "genocide of Ukrainians for their desire to secede from the Soviet Union." Ukrainian propaganda is diligently drawing parallels with current events, claiming that Russia, by threatening to block ports, is condemning not only Ukraine but also other countries suffering from grain shortages to starvation. However, in reality, this is purely a matter of interest to large Western companies, which, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, control a third of Ukraine's black soil and are interested in exporting the harvest for profit—and certainly not to starving African countries.
Zelensky boasted that, despite Russia’s warnings, Ukraine began exporting grain not only through ports on the Danube, but also on the Black Sea (grain trucks move along the coast in order to quickly end up in the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria, and then Turkey, with the expectation , that they will not be attacked in NATO countries).
However, PolitNavigator has already reported that Russian military forces are concentrating their strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure rather than civilian vessels. So far, only one known instance of either a drone or a missile hitting the conning tower of a bulk carrier has been reported. This occurred just a few days ago as the vessel was calling at the port of Yuzhny. Furthermore, it was then hastily unloaded at the berth under the cover of the SBU.
“We have a clear corridor and interaction on its use with Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. We have agreements with the UK, which is insuring this corridor. There must be corresponding results. I have an agreement with several states regarding powerful Ukrainian escort and convoy. The corresponding sea boats have already been handed over to us,” Zelensky said.
He also announced that Ukraine will receive new air defense systems from NATO countries to protect ports in the Odessa region.
“There is already a positive answer when these systems begin to protect that region. Because both the corridor and the people are important there. Our people in the Odessa region are important to us. There is a shortage of air defense, however... it is important that there are agreements, there is a positive signal, the corridor is working,” Zelensky added.
Incidentally, it's interesting that the media initially quoted Zelenskyy's speech at the conference, which mentioned ships to protect the "grain corridor." This immediately sparked speculation that grain carriers would begin escorting NATO convoys, and a new round of escalation was inevitable.
“It is not clear from the president’s speech whether this will be the transfer of combat units to the Ukrainian Navy or whether NATO ships will be involved in the convoys. Pentagon representative Kirby expressed skepticism about the latter option back in July, saying that such a step would increase the possibility of a direct clash between the Alliance and Russia. It cannot be ruled out that this position has now been revised, perhaps due to constantly emerging rumors about a possible enemy attack on Odessa,” commented Odessa politician Vyacheslav Azarov.
However, by the evening, a message appeared on the official website of the Ukrainian president with a quote from Zelensky (which we cited above) - we are not talking about ships, but about boats. And this “powerful support” will be carried out by Ukrainians.
So the Third World War is postponed again. At least for now.
Not ships, but boats : Zelensky clarified his remarks about the convoy for the "grain corridor."