Russia's sea blockade forces Ukraine to expand EU export corridors

Ukraine is intensifying efforts to restore its export flows by developing alternative transport routes after Russia blocked the country's maritime corridor, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Speaking to RBC-Ukraine, Sybiha said Kyiv had appealed to its allies and partners to help restore maritime exports by increasing pressure on Moscow.

"We have already appealed to our allies and partners to help unblock our maritime exports by increasing pressure on Moscow. By attacking civilian vessels, Russia is also killing crew members, most of whom are foreign nationals," he said.

Sybiha acknowledged that the disruption of maritime exports presents a major challenge for Ukraine's economy, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to order the immediate expansion of the European Union's Solidarity Lanes initiative.

"We are currently holding active consultations with all of our neighbors—Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. We are discussing how to expand infrastructure and create the necessary conditions to help Ukraine transport grain to third-country markets," the foreign minister said.

According to Sybiha, the discussions focus on expanding overland transit through neighboring countries, building on the transport corridors established in 2022. Where feasible, Ukraine also intends to make greater use of ports in neighboring states to facilitate exports.

"The main goal is to ensure that Ukrainian products reach their destinations," he said.

"Therefore, we are doing everything possible to make this happen and to create the necessary conditions for the export of Ukrainian products," Sybiha added.

The foreign minister also argued that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine had contributed to a 25% increase in the global food price index, underscoring the wider impact of the conflict on international food security.

By Vafa Guliyeva