Dmytro Kuleba believes that the Russian strikes on the port of Reni, on the border with Romania, a NATO member, are a way for Vladimir Putin to "test the reaction of NATO". And for him, "NATO must react firmly and decisively". It claims that Russian ships, "wherever they are in the Black Sea, are becoming legitimate targets," in response to Russia's warning that civilian ships heading to Ukrainian ports are targets.

Ukraine's foreign minister promises that Ukraine will continue to try to revive the Black Sea grain deal, which Russia has refused to extend. He adds, however, that if this were not possible, another sea route would have to be set up for the export of Ukrainian grain, as well as for shipments to Europe.

He considers "unacceptable" the idea that Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria could block Ukraine's agricultural exports beyond the previously agreed date of 15 September. These countries have obtained from the EU the right to block the marketing of Ukrainian grain on their soil to protect their agricultural sectors. "One of the reasons Russia is destroying our grain infrastructure is to create more tension between Ukraine and its neighbors. We should not play his game," Kuleba said, expressing hope that the issue could be resolved.

He says he is aware of Russia's efforts to export grain via Qatar and Turkey. For him, it would be "shameful" for a country to take part in such an agreement. He added that Ukraine was in contact with all parties.

Depriving Russia of its "blackmail power"

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy says that the Russian president is organizing a Russia-Africa summit this week in order to "whitewash his reputation" and not in the interest of the African continent. Regarding the presence in Africa of the Wagner paramilitary group, he explained that Ukraine has a large amount of information that could help African countries strengthen their security.

He adds that while Ukraine is seeking US-made long-range ATACMS missiles, it is already receiving them from the UK and France. So this is not an article that we do not have. We need more, but in principle we have them." Demining equipment is a "very current need". And regarding the F-16 fighter jets, Dmytro Kuleba considers that "the agreement is concluded"

He points out that if Ukraine had F-16s, it would not depend on Russian blackmail to export grain to world markets. "As soon as possible, we can have a corridor to lower world prices and deprive Russia of its blackmail power."

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