Russia "Preparing Humanitarian Corridor for Ukraine Grain Transport... Willing to Negotiate"

"Comprehensive Approach Needed Including Lifting Russia Export and Financial Transaction Sanctions"

Russia announced on the 25th (local time) that it is ready to provide a humanitarian corridor (safe passage) for grain-laden ships to leave Ukraine and is willing to negotiate this issue with related countries. The photo shows the Russian landing ship Kaliningrad entering the port of Sevastopol in the Crimean Peninsula on February 10 (local time). Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Russia announced on the 25th (local time) that it is prepared to provide a humanitarian corridor (safe passage) to allow grain-laden ships to leave Ukraine and is willing to negotiate this issue with relevant countries.

According to RIA Novosti and other sources, Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, told reporters on the day, "To solve the (global) food problem, a comprehensive approach including lifting sanctions imposed on Russia's exports and financial transactions is necessary," stating this.

He also pointed out that for the maritime transport of Ukrainian grain, Ukraine must remove the mines installed in its domestic ports. He added, "The Russian side is ready to engage in dialogue with all parties aiming for a peaceful resolution of all issues."

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the establishment of a humanitarian corridor for the safe departure of foreign ships trapped in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. According to Interfax News Agency, Mikhail Mizintsev, commander of the 'National Defense Management Center,' a command center under the Russian General Staff, announced on the day, "From 8 a.m. on the 25th, a humanitarian corridor 115 miles (approximately 185 km) long and 2 miles (approximately 3.2 km) wide will be opened at Mariupol port to allow foreign ships to safely depart towards the Black Sea."

Commander Mizintsev stated, "Currently, 70 ships from 16 countries are trapped in six (Ukrainian) ports including Kherson and Odesa," and added, "The Russian military will open the humanitarian corridor along the Black Sea coast daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m." He also claimed, "Russia is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safe navigation of civilian ships in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea." However, since confrontations between Russia and Ukraine continue not only in the Azov Sea but also in the Black Sea, it remains uncertain whether safe navigation for civilian ships is possible.