Warships can be used to transport grain from Ukraine to countries in need of export. This was stated by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.
He said he did not rule out forming a coalition of NATO members in need of grain to protect its transport from Odessa to the Bosphorus.
According to the Lithuanian minister, “this will not mean escalation”, as it does not represent the Alliance’s direct involvement in the military operation.
There was already a debate, but I think there comes a time when we need to find a solution, Landsbergis concluded.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has discussed the creation of such a “protective corridor” from Odessa with British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would ensure that Ukraine could export grain and other national food products.
Britain is coordinating with its allies a potential plan to send warships to the Black Sea to escort ships exporting Ukrainian grain, the Times reported.
According to the plan, “Allied naval forces will clear the area around the port of Russian mines to ensure the safety of transporting vital products,” the Times reported.
According to the newspaper, there are plans to deploy long-range missiles in Ukraine, “to prevent any Russian attempts to sabotage the corridor.”
The previous day, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin thanked Denmark for promising to provide Ukraine with a long-range batch of Harpoon anti-ship missiles to protect grain cargo ships.
