Russia is ready to provide a humanitarian corridor for ships carrying food to leave Ukraine in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions.

The information is from the Russian news agency Interfax, which quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko.

The black sea ports in Ukraine were blocked at the start of the war on February 24.

According to Ukrainian authorities, more than 20 million tons of grain are trapped in silos in the country.

Russia and Ukraine account for almost a third of global wheat supplies. Ukraine is also a major exporter of corn and sunflower oil.

Last week, the UN said the lack of significant grain exports from Ukraine's ports is contributing to a growing global food crisis.

Western powers have discussed the idea of creating "safe corridors" for grain exports from Ukraine's ports, adding that any such corridor would need Russian consent.

"We have repeatedly stated on this point that a solution to the food problem requires a comprehensive approach, including lifting sanctions that have been imposed on Russian exports and financial transactions," Rudenko said.

"And it also requires dominance by the Ukrainian side of all ports where ships are docked. Russia is ready to provide the necessary humanitarian passage, which it does every day."

Russia is in contact with the United Nations on the matter, Rudenko was quoted as saying by another news agency, RIA.

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of planting drifting mines in the Black Sea.

Rudenko was also quoted by Interfax as saying that a possible escort by Western ships from Ukrainian ships carrying grain "would seriously aggravate the situation in the Black Sea."

Britain said on Tuesday that there are no plans to send British warships to help take food exports from Odessa, Ukraine's main deepwater port.

Source: Canal Rural