Russia continues to deliberately block the operation of the "grain corridor". For yesterday and today, only two ships were approved for entry and two for departure. This was announced by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, during a briefing.

 "Of course, ships leave the ports, but there are questions about inspections. The total was agreed for yesterday and today, it seems, two vessels for entry and two for exit. If possible, do more than ten. That is, it indicates a deliberate blocking and continuation of a destructive policy. Here it is important to keep a constructive approach in interaction with our mediators and to stimulate them. So that decisions are made in such a way that they meet the interests of both Ukrainian producers and the market," Bodnar said.

 He noted that Ukraine does not count on the fact that the Russians will fully open the possibility of ships leaving, as this initiative is not interesting for them.

 "They are trying to push through their proposals, in particular, regarding the export of various mineral fertilizers of their own and to ensure that Ukrainian grain does not reach the international markets in full," said Bodnar.

 On April 17, Kyiv declared that the Black Sea grain corridor was threatened with "closure" due to the fact that Russia blocks the inspection of cargo ships.

 Russian state media reported on April 18 that inspections had resumed, but a senior official told Reuters: "Nothing has been decided."

 On April 19, Oleksandr Kubrakov, the Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction - the Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, announced that inspections of vessels within the framework of the Black Sea Grain Initiative are being resumed, despite Russia's attempts to disrupt the agreement.

 After invading Ukraine, Russia initially blocked all Ukrainian seaports. In July 2022, the Black Sea Grain Initiative was reached between the UN, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia separately. It allows the export of grain from three Black Sea ports of Ukraine. It was extended twice for a period of 120 days. As of March 18, Russia agreed to extend the agreement for 60 days.