Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
“The second vessel has reached Romanian waters after successfully navigating through our temporary Black Sea corridor,” Zelensky wrote.
He said the ship was loaded with steel destined for African consumers but had been blocked in Ukraine since February 2022 when Russia began its full-scale invasion.
“We defend freedom of navigation with real deeds and the world benefits from stability. I thank everyone who made this possible, our port workers, our warriors and everyone who defends freedom,” he said.
Ukraine and Romania signed an agreement on Aug. 18 to work together to boost Kyiv’s export of grain through Romania after Moscow withdrew from a grain shipping agreement that allowed safe passage through the Black Sea.
A container ship flying the flag of Hong Kong, became the first vessel to leave Ukraine’s Black Sea ports since Russia withdrew from broke off from the grain deal, Ukrinform reported.
On August 26, 2023, the PRIMUS bulk carrier, flying the flag of Liberia, left the port of Odessa.
