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| EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (left) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attend a press conference in Kiev, October 2. (Source: AFP) |
In July 2023, Russia withdrew from a UN-backed agreement that allowed exports from Ukraine to pass through three Black Sea ports. Since then, Kiev has implemented a so-called temporary humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea for grain exports.
President Zelensky's office said he and Ms Von der Leyen also agreed to maintain "constructive dialogue" on efforts to lift grain import restrictions imposed by some of Ukraine's neighbours.
Earlier in the day, Kiev called on the European Union (EU) to support an initiative to regularly export grain through a new maritime corridor in the Black Sea, amid a rift between Kiev and some bordering countries over grain shipments.
Ukraine has been pushing for support for the route since Moscow scrapped an agreement to ensure safe grain transit through the Black Sea.
Speaking at a joint press conference with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stressed that if the EU and Ukraine join forces to ensure security, the corridor "will be able to operate at full capacity".
However, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister did not specify what support Kiev was seeking from the alliance.
The termination of the deal saw large quantities of Ukrainian grain shipped across the EU, causing domestic grain prices in importing countries to fall and sparking protests in some countries, including Poland. Warsaw extended its ban on imports of Kiev grain, deepening the rift between the two sides.
Poland is one of Ukraine's strongest supporters and has been one of Kiev's main arms suppliers since Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022.
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