Romania is ready to quickly develop alternative routes for the export of Ukrainian grain, after Russia withdrew from the agreement for the safe transport on the Black Sea and threatened to attack ships heading for Ukrainian ports. Foreign Minister Luminiţa Odobescu told the Bloomberg news agency that Romania can now open new border checkpoints with the neighboring country, bring in more staff at existing crossings as well as retired pilots and soldiers, in order to speed up the transit of ships on the Danube. Romania has already facilitated the transit of over 20 million tons of grain from Ukraine, approximately half of the amount transported on the solidarity roads since the beginning of the Russian invasion. The port of Constanta (southeast), preferred by Ukrainian companies, has been modernized, but it may become overwhelmed by domestic grain production. Bulgaria is also considering using the railway network to the Greek ports, for the transport of Ukrainian food products, which have so far been directed to the Port of Varna.
Eugen Cojocariu, Radio Romania International
