Ships Head for Black Sea Ports, Defying Russia

(Bloomberg) — Ukraine is defying Russia’s effective blockade of its Black Sea ports by sending empty ships to collect grain for the first time since the collapse of a deal guaranteeing safe passage almost two months ago. Two ships are headed toward the port of Chornomorsk to load wheat for Africa and Asia, Ukraine’s infrastructure minister said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The European Union ended a ban on Ukrainian crop imports in five of its eastern countries, prompting Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to quickly announce a return to unilateral restrictions. Meanwhile, Russia is tightening…