Turkish envoy summoned to Ukrainian MFA over Russian ship

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is disappointed that the Russian ship Zhibek Zholy, carrying Ukrainian grain stolen by Russian invaders, was released from the Turkish port of Karasu, due to which the Turkish ambassador in Kyiv was summoned to the Ukrainian diplomatic mission.

“Thanks to the prompt intervention of the relevant Ukrainian authorities, this ship was unable to unload the stolen goods and was detained, "Ukrainska Pravda" reports referring to the statement of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. 

"A request was sent to the Turkish side to arrest the vessel and cargo. At the same time, ignoring the appeal of the Ukrainian side, the ship was released on the evening of July 6,” the statement says.

The Foreign Ministry noted that in connection with the current unacceptable situation, the Turkish ambassador to Kyiv was invited to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

“The Ukrainian side has taken this information with deep disappointment and appeals to the Turkish side with an urgent request to investigate this situation and provide an exhaustive response to the requests of the relevant authorities of Ukraine, as well as to prevent similar cases in the future by all means,” the statement says.

At the end of June, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Ankara takes seriously reports of Russia's illegal export of grain from Ukraine and will not allow its import into its territory.