The European Union prepares to include exceptions to sanctions imposed on Russia. This is planned to be done to unblock assets of Russian banks related to trade of food and fertilizers.
An anonymous MEP told AFP agency that member states want to show sanctions do not prevent the transport of grains from Russia or Ukraine.
The proposal is is part of the most recent update to sanctions. Talks have already commenced among member states. For it to come into force, it is necessary to secure unanimous approval.
Banks that are currently under EU sanctions could be made an exception «if their resources are necessary for the procurement, imports or transportation of agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilizers».
One European diplomat said making an exception of food is «entirely understandable».
In February Russia commenced an invasion of Ukraine. Since then Russian forces have captured several Black Sea ports and have continued bombarding other sea ports, as well as Ukraine’s sea port of Odessa.
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Ukraine has also installed sea mines around some of its ports in an attempt to defend against Russian forces.
Ukrainian agriculture sector is an important sources of cereals for global markets, especially the Middle East and Africa, where the situation with food supplies is especially tense.