---
title: "Ukraine, EU, and Danube Neighbors: How to Save Grain Exports Amidst Shelling"
description: "Ukraine, the EU, Romania, and Moldova discussed saving grain exports against the backdrop of Russian attacks on ports. 🚢💥 The parties agreed to strengthen Danube routes and attract financing for infrastructure modernization so that cargo can move even under security threats. 🌾🚛"
date: 2026-07-29T14:32:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-eu-romania-moldova-grain-export-danube-routes
tags: [ukraine, european-commission, romania, moldova, grain-export]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukraine, EU, and Danube Neighbors: How to Save Grain Exports Amidst Shelling

![Grain cargo ship docked in Odesa port — key to Ukraine’s grain export via the Danube](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/29/ukraina-ek-rumyniya-moldova-eksport-cheres-pany/ukraina-ek-rumyniya-moldova-eksport-cheres-pany-1.webp)

Ukraine, the European Commission, Romania, and Moldova held a strategic meeting dedicated to a critically important issue: how to ensure stable exports of Ukrainian goods in conditions where traditional maritime routes are under threat. The reason for the negotiations was massive Russian attacks on port infrastructure and merchant vessels, which effectively led to a temporary suspension of navigation in Ukraine's Black Sea ports.

According to the Ministry of Recovery, Infrastructure, and Transport, the parties discussed the need to radically strengthen alternative logistics routes, in particular, through the Danube ports. The meeting was held at a high level, bringing together key players in the logistics and transport sectors.

### Who participated in the negotiations

The Ukrainian delegation was led by the First Deputy Minister of Recovery, Infrastructure, and Transport, Serhiy Derkach, and his colleague Andriy Kashuba. They were supported by representatives of the Administration of Sea Ports of Ukraine and PJSC "Ukrzaliznytsia". The situation with grain exports was analyzed in detail by the Minister of Agrarian Policy, Taras Vysotsky.

The international level of the negotiations was confirmed by participants from partner countries: from the European Commission, Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, was present. Romania was represented by State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport Ionel Scrisțianu, and Moldova by State Secretary Mircea Pascăluță.

### Action plan: from modernization to financing

The parties identified clear directions for work to overcome the logistics crisis. The main goal was to increase the throughput capacity of the Danube region ports. To achieve this, comprehensive infrastructure development is necessary:

    - Modernization of railway and road routes leading to the ports.

    - Improving the functioning of border crossings and reducing customs control times.

    - Enhancing coordination between transport, customs, and border services of the three countries.

The issue of financing was discussed separately. The parties agreed to attract European funds for infrastructure modernization within the framework of the "Solidarity Lanes" and the European Transport Network (TEN-T). This will expand transit capabilities not only for agricultural but also for other export products.

### Balance between protection and exports

Serhiy Derkach emphasized that the partners' task is to create predictable conditions for transportation, eliminating "bottlenecks" in the logistics chain. "The Danube direction and the Solidarity Lanes must ensure the stable movement of Ukrainian cargo even in conditions of constant security threats," he noted.

At the same time, Andriy Kashuba focused on the fact that Ukraine is not giving up attempts to protect its own maritime gates. "Ukraine is working daily to strengthen the protection of port infrastructure and the Ukrainian Sea Corridor. We are looking for solutions that will allow us to maintain the continuity of exports, even if Russian attacks continue," the Deputy Minister stated.

### Figures and facts: scale of losses and achievements

Statistics provided by the ministry demonstrate the colossal role of sea ports in the country's economy. Since the launch of the Ukrainian Sea Corridor in September 2023, 209.3 million tons of cargo have been transported through the ports of Greater Odesa, of which 124.1 million tons is grain. More than 8,000 vessels have passed through the corridor.

However, the current situation requires a redistribution of flows. Since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian sea ports have handled 46 million tons of cargo. Of these, 42.2 million tons went to the ports of Greater Odesa, and only 3.8 million tons to the ports of the Danube region. At the same time, the ports of Greater Odesa traditionally provide about 90% of the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to more than 55 countries worldwide.

As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue close coordination for the development of the Danube logistics cluster. This decision was a response to a real threat: due to constant attacks, shipowners have massively stopped entering Ukrainian ports. The UN has already stated that shelling of ports and ships by Russia creates a direct threat to global food security.