Ukraine seeks UN-backed mission to export grain shipments through Black Sea

FILE PHOTO: Unity N, a cargo carrying over 71,000 tonnes of Ukrainian corn, is moored after loading in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania, April 28, 2022. Inquam Photos/Daniel Stoenciu via REUTERS

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine is working with international partners to create a United Nations-backed mission to restore Black Sea shipping routes and export Ukrainian farm produce, foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said on Thursday.

Russia has captured some of Ukraine's biggest seaports and its navy controls major transport routes in the Black Sea, blocking Ukrainian shipments and deepening a global food crisis.