Romanian foreign minister urges cease-fire in Black Sea to protect grain shipments

At a meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs in Luxembourg, interim foreign minister Oana Ţoiu urged the international community to push for an immediate cease-fire in the Black Sea, warning that Russia must not be allowed to weaponise food supplies. She recounted recent direct attacks on vessels within the Black Sea’s exclusive economic zone, which resulted in two fatalities and injuries that Romanian rescue teams helped treat before hospitalising the victims in Romania. Ţoiu emphasized the sea’s critical function as a global food artery, pointing out that Romania is a leading exporter of wheat and oilseeds, with a substantial portion of regional grain and oilseed shipments transiting the area.

She also noted that about one-third of wheat trade originates from the Black Sea region and that roughly 55% of Ukrainian grain moves through Romanian-supported routes. In addition to maritime security, Ţoiu called for continued cooperation on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and for discussions with regional partners, including Georgia, to boost connectivity and transit capacity.