Kyiv said Friday that Ukraine will only sign an agreement with Turkey and the UN to resume grain exports disrupted by Moscow’s invasion.
The stance of the Ukrainian Government excludes any direct deals with Russia.
A Presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak reaffirmed the determination of the Ukrainian military to respond to any provocations from Russia.
He said Moscow’s ships and representatives would not be allowed in Ukrainian ports used for grain exports.
According to Podolyak, any necessary inspections of cargo ships will be carried out by joint groups in Turkish waters.
A delegation from Ukraine was in Istanbul Friday with a deal set to be signed to unblock millions of tonnes of grains, trapped in Ukrainian ports since Russia invaded on February 24.
