The UK Ministry of Defense responded to statements by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Rudenko, who said Russia was ready to provide a humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea for Ukrainian grain exports if sanctions were eased and demining around Odessa was cleared.
The UK British say that Russia is promoting alternative unconvincing narratives about the blockade of the Black Sea to make it harder for audiences to understand the situation and to shift their responsibility for the crisis to the West. British intelligence calls this approach "Russiaʼs messaging strategy."
- On May 25, Rudenko said Russia could help resolve a potential food crisis and provide a safe corridor in the Black Sea for grain exports if sanctions imposed on Russian exports and financial transactions are lifted. Rudenko also stated that it is necessary for Ukraine to clear the territory around the port of Odesa (it was mined so that Russian troops would not land there).