Sat 23 July 2022:
Turkish defense minister said on Saturday that Moscow has denied carrying out any attack on the Ukrainian port of Odessa.
“The Russians told us that they had absolutely nothing to do with this attack and they were looking into the issue very closely,” Hulusi Akar said, but Russia has yet to officially comment.
Russia and Ukraine signed agreements in Istanbul on Friday brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN chief Antonio Guterres.
But Akar also said the incident “really makes us concerned” in comments to state news agency Anadolu.
“We will continue to fulfil our responsibilities under the agreement we reached yesterday,” he added.
Odesa, the largest Ukrainian seaport and one of the largest ports in the Black Sea basin, has remained under Kyiv’s control, albeit being blockaded by Russia.
In an effort to restart grain exports and alleviate a global food crisis, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mediated the agreement on Friday.
Guterres on Saturday “unequivocally” condemned the missile attacks on the port, which is key to the UN-brokered deal.
“Full implementation (of the deal) by the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Turkey is imperative,” he added.
Up to 25 million tonnes of wheat and other grain have been blocked in Ukrainian ports because of the conflict.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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