EU and UN attempts to restore "grain deal", heavy weapons from Italy: today's highlights

EU calls on Russia to change its decision on “grain deal”

The EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell called on Russia to cancel its decision to withdraw from the “grain initiative”, which allowed unblocking Ukrainian ports for the export of agricultural products by sea. He wrote about this on Twitter.

“Russia’s decision to suspend participation in the Black Sea deal puts at risks the main export route of much needed grain and fertilisers to address the global food crisis caused by its war against Ukraine,” Borrell writes.

The day before, Russia's decision was also criticized in the United States. President Joe Biden called it outrageous and stressed that it would only increase global hunger.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken added: “Any act by Russia to disrupt these critical grain exports is essentially a statement that people and families around the world should pay more for food or go hungry,” Blinken said in a statement.

Italy has transferred howitzers and rocket launchers to Ukraine.

Italy has handed over heavy weapons to Ukraine, including multiple rocket launchers and self-propelled artillery systems. This is reported by La Repubblica, which managed to find out the details of military assistance from Italy.

According to the publication, the government of former Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who resigned in July, handed over two multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As noted, these systems use the same missiles with a range of 70 kilometers as HIMARS. But this unit is updated: it rides on a tracked base and has 12 missiles, not 6.

In addition, Italy is transferring 6 Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery systems and 20-30 M109L self-propelled howitzers – an upgraded version of the American M109 self-propelled howitzer, produced under license in Italy.

Ukraine suspended grain exports due to Russia's withdrawal from the “grain deal”

Due to Russia's withdrawal from the “grain deal”, Ukraine was forced to suspend grain exports through the Black Sea ports. This was announced by the Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Thus, on October 30, the vessel IKARIA ANGEL, which was to carry 40 thousand tons of grain under the UN World Food Program, did not leave the Ukrainian port. These products were planned to be delivered to the people of Ethiopia, who are on the verge of famine.

UN works to restore “grain initiative”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres “continues to maintain contacts” aimed at restoring the “grain deal”. Turkey is also negotiating with Russia. This was reported by Guterres' office and Bloomberg with reference to an unnamed Turkish official.

The Turkish official claims that there are still grounds for optimism about the future course of these negotiations. He says that the ships that have already arrived in Istanbul are now being checked, but new grain carriers from Ukraine have not yet departed.

The Secretary General's office noted that Guterres is making efforts to get Russia to withdraw its decision to terminate participation in the “grain deal”. To focus on this issue, he even postponed his departure for the Arab League summit in Algeria.

Ukrainian Armed Forces shoot down Russian attack helicopter in Kharkiv Oblast

On the afternoon of October 30, the Ukrainian military destroyed another attack helicopter of the Russian occupants in Kharkiv Oblast. This was reported by the command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As noted, the helicopter was shot down at about 16:00 by fighters of the anti-aircraft missile unit of the East Air Command. The type of destroyed attack helicopter is being established.