Zelenskyy, Macron discuss Black Sea grain corridor as Russia intensifies attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed ways to ensure the safe passage of grain exports from Ukraine during a phone call on Sunday, as Russia intensified attacks on the country’s southern ports.

In a statement, Zelenskyy’s office said the two leaders discussed “ways to ensure the functioning of the grain corridor and strengthen the security of the Odessa region.”

The Black Sea grain corridor is a shipping route that allows Ukrainian grain to be exported despite the ongoing war. It was established in July 2022 with the help of the United Nations and Turkey.

However, Russia has repeatedly attacked the corridor, making it difficult for grain to be exported. On Sunday, Russian forces fired 25 Iranian-made Shahed drones at a port in Ukraine’s Odessa region, two of which were shot down by air defenses.

The attack came a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the resumption of food shipments from Ukraine.

In their phone call, Zelenskyy and Macron also discussed the need to provide more military aid to Ukraine.

“The French president stressed the importance of continued military support for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy’s office said.

Macron has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since the start of the war. He has visited Kyiv twice and has provided the country with military and financial aid.

The phone call between Zelenskyy and Macron comes as the war in Ukraine enters its seventh month. The conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and has raised concerns about a global food shortage.