“Russia is trying to choke off Ukrainian grain exports, thus jeopardizing global food security.” That line came from Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, on Sept. 23 as she announced a joint statement signed by 51 countries. The timing was deliberate: the U.N. Security Council was meeting on Ukraine, and the General Assembly was under way.
The signatories condemned Russia and called for an arrangement in the Black Sea to safeguard freedom of navigation. Most European nations signed. So did Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Honduras, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Panama and South Korea.
Ships under fire
Behind the wording is a Russian blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports that has hindered the country’s agricultural exports. Russia has regularly targeted civilian ships heading to those ports. On Sept. 17 a Tanzania-flagged vessel was hit, killing the captain and injuring three crew members.
Kallas said the statement also expressed deep concern over Russia’s escalation against civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, which she said had produced a record number of casualties in recent months, as recorded by the U.N. All 51 countries called on Russia to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and be held accountable.
On shipping specifically, she said the signatories support efforts toward a Black Sea arrangement and call for protection of commercial shipping and critical infrastructure.
The ceasefire message
In a post on X, Kallas noted that Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire since March 2025 and urged Russia to do the same. “Ukraine wants peace. We want peace,” she wrote. Moscow, she said, must stop its aggression, accept a ceasefire and take part in negotiations toward a lasting peace in line with international law.
Sources
- 51 countries back Ukraine in joint statement calling for Black Sea initiative as world gathers for UN General Assembly
- 51 countries back Ukraine in joint statement calling for Black Sea initiative as world gathers for UN General Assembly
