The UK government is contributing up to GBP 10 million to repair Ukraine’s rail infrastructure to facilitate the export of grain from the country amid Russian aggression.
“In addition to preventing grain from leaving Ukraine via the Black Sea – the route by which 96% of Ukraine’s grain has historically been exported, Russian attacks are disrupting rail exports. To counteract this, the UK is contributing up to GBP 10 million in materials and equipment to Ukraine Railways to repair rail infrastructure and help get grain out of the country by rail,” the government press release reads.
The UK is in close discussion with the Government of Ukraine about how to maximize their rail capacity and keep both trains and grain moving, the statement said.
The UK government noted that not only was Russia preventing Ukraine from exporting its grain, there was increasing evidence that Russia was stealing grain from Ukraine, smuggling it over the border to sell and boost Pootin’s war coffers.
“The UK will put GBP 1.5 million to develop a testing process to identify whether grain sold by Russia on the world market had been illegally taken from Ukraine. This would allow world governments to tackle the scourge of stolen grain, deterring Russian activity and ensuring Ukraine is getting the revenue it so desperately needs from any grain it grows. The PM Boris Johnson will ask other G7 countries to join these efforts,” the press release said. (Ukrinform/Business World Magazine)