(ANSA-AFP) - MOSCOW, JUN 30 - Russia said Thursday it had
pulled its forces from Ukraine's Snake Island, calling it a
"goodwill gesture" to allow Kyiv to export agricultural
products. "On June 30, as a gesture of goodwill, the Russian
armed forces completed their tasks on Snake Island and withdrew
a garrison stationed there," the defence ministry said in a
statement. The announcement came after Ukraine had launched
several raids on Russians forces on the Black Sea island. The
Russian defence ministry said the withdrawal was aimed at
demonstrating the world that "Russia is not impeding UN efforts
to organise a humanitarian corridor to ship agricultural
products from Ukraine". Moscow added that the "ball is now in
Ukraine's court", accusing the pro-Western country of having
still not demined its Black Sea coast. Ukraine has accused
Russia of stealing its grain, contributing to a global food
shortage caused by grain exports blocked in Ukrainian ports.
(ANSA-AFP).
© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved