Ukrainian Deputy Minister Markian Dmytrasevych says that Ukraine is not only short of more grain export routes over land but also urgently needs generators to produce electricity. Now that the Russians are bombing the power plants, large parts of the countryside are without power. As a result, cooling installations and various other equipment fail; especially in livestock farming and poultry.
Deputy Minister Dmytrasevych has also asked the Members of the European Parliament on the Agriculture Committee for permanent export over land. According to him, Ukraine cannot rely on reliable exports across the Black Sea, now that Russia threatens not to extend the Black Sea agreement. So far, 3.9 million tons of grain have been transported to foreign markets via Odessa.
Currently, more than a hundred empty and loaded grain ships are waiting at Ukrainian ports for international inspection. Due to the delays, Ukraine has so far been able to export 3 million tons less grain than expected. This is enough to feed 10 million people.
Therefore, Ukraine asks the EU to expand the export corridors not only by rail but especially by road. The current method by train involving multiple transshipments and storage is time-consuming and very costly. Transport costs that used to be $40 per ton have now risen to $200 per ton, the deputy minister said.
The Ukrainian government also requests European support for the construction of a pipeline to the (north) Polish coast on the Baltic Sea for transporting sunflower oil. The country could also use help with demining areas that were cleared by the Russians.
A strategy comparable to the Marshall Plan after World War II is required for the reconstruction of Ukraine. That was stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after a donor conference in Berlin. Ukraine will receive about 1.5 billion euros from the European Union every month next year to cover the country's ongoing costs.