Ukrainian grain could be exported through Belarus and Latvian ports

The proposal envisages that grain from Ukraine could be exported by rail instead of from Ukraine to Poland (the two countries have different track gauges and therefore flow capacity is limited), but from Ukraine via Belarus to Lithuanian and Latvian ports. For us, the track width coincides and the Latvian ports would cope with it.

However, such a scenario would only be possible with the consent of Belarus. It should be noted that the regime of the leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, is highly dependent on Russian support, and Moscow is likely to obstruct such a plan. It must also be borne in mind that the European Union has imposed sanctions on Belarus, as well as on Russia.

“It would be a very serious discussion – if we wanted to get these cargoes to flow through Latvian ports to Belarus, which could physically perform their export work,” says Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš.

“What would Belarus demand in return and could we – Latvia, the Baltics, Europe – agree with it at all? These negotiations are only at the level of the edges, but if it were, it would be a very serious dilemma. ”

Europe is currently trying to help Ukraine find other modes of transport for grain exports, but it is not easy. Currently, the only solution is from Ukraine by rail to a Romanian port, but this is hampered by the different track gauges.

In recent weeks, the international community has called on Russia to allow Ukrainian grain exports. Exports are currently not possible because the Russian navy is blocking Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

The blockade of Ukrainian ports by the Russian army prevents the export of wheat, maize and vegetable oils, thus raising food prices on the world market. This puts the people of the poorest countries at risk of starvation.

Since February, Russia has blocked Ukrainian ports from exporting about 24 million tons of wheat and corn.

It is believed that the Kremlin wants to put pressure on the West, creating famine and new waves of migration from Africa.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that grain exports from Ukraine could resume if sanctions against Russia were lifted. Russia will allow ships with food and fertilizer to leave Ukrainian ports to alleviate the looming global food crisis, but only on the condition that the West lift sanctions.

Ukraine has accused Russia of blackmailing and urged the West not to lift sanctions while Russia continues its war.

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