Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine/ Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, met with Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany.

The main topics of the talks were the stable operation of the Grain Initiative in the face of russia's sabotage of the work of inspection teams in the Bosporus.

In particular, due to the actions of the russian side, Ukraine is under-exporting at least 3 million tonnes of food every month.

"russia's de facto sabotage of the Grain Initiative jeopardizes the basic principles of free trade, freedom of navigation and maritime safety. This is a challenge not only for Ukraine and the guarantors of the Grain Initiative - the UN and Turkey - but also for the entire international legal order.

Together, we must increase pressure on russia to fully unblock ports and remove all obstacles to freedom of navigation. We must deprive russia of its tools to blackmail the international community, as not only Ukraine's economy but also the stability of the global logistics system depends on it.

We hope for the support of our German partners in this matter. Together we can counteract russia much more effectively and ultimately bring it to justice for its crimes against Ukraine," said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine/Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development.

The Deputy Prime Minister also thanked his German counterpart for the support in restoring the energy infrastructure. In particular, in December, the German Government decided to provide EUR 30 million for the purchase of equipment necessary for Ukraine.

The parties also discussed support for communities in times of war. Germany is already funding several projects that strengthen the sustainability of communities and municipal institutions in the areas of healthcare, social issues, and administrative services. These include purchases for hospitals and other social institutions, basic equipment for IDP accommodation centers and the Invincibility Center in Odesa region.

German partners have expressed their readiness to increase support in this area.

"We are pleased to cooperate with Germany in the restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine. The victory will be our common achievement, the achievement of the partners who mobilized their resources and came to the rescue," summarized Oleksandr Kubrakov.

The meeting of the Ministers took place on January 19 as part of a joint visit to Odesa region.