Ukraine exported more agricultural products by sea in December than at any point since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Much of that is “almost certainly” driven by the reopening of Ukraine’s main Black Sea ports and the establishment of a unilateral shipping export channel, British officials said Monday.
The exports have surpassed the monthly volumes achieved during the Black Sea grain initiative that was brokered by the U.N. and Turkey but subject to Russian inspection, U.K. military officials said on X in their latest assessment of the battlefield conditions in Ukraine.
“Ukraine has achieved this because it has largely prevented the Russian Black Sea Fleet from operating in the western Black Sea, where it is held at risk by Ukrainian missiles and uncrewed surface vessels,” British officials said.
A UK-brokered reduction in insurance premiums on maritime traffic in the region and the recent announcement that Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania have formed a naval mine countermeasures force are adding to the market confidence, officials said.
“The health of this export route is vital in the long term, both for Ukraine’s export revenue and as a symbol that both sides are willing to suspend attacks on civilian shipping, paving the way to diminished risk and greater trade for all in the Black Sea,” British officials said on X.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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