Italy can only help release some 22 million tonnes of blocked grain exports from Ukraine's ports if its role is mandated by a United Nations Resolution, premier Mario Draghi said during a visit to Kiev on Thursday.
"What is required is extremely complex - to ensure that ships can leave Ukrainian ports, de-mine them and entrust the departure of the ships to third countries," Draghi said.
Draghi was speaking at a joint press conference with Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French president Emmanuel Macron and Romania's president Klaus Iohannis.
"The only possible solution is a United Nations resolution," he said.
Despite Italy's globally renowned ability in de-mining ports, it "can only have a role in helping unblock Ukraine's grain exports "under the aegis of the UN," Draghi underlined.
Ukraine is a major exporter of grains, especially wheat, and the months-long Russian naval blockade of its ports has fuelled already soaring grain prices in world markets, raising fears of famine, especially in Africa.
