Ukraine said Wednesday it would not demine waters around the Black Sea port of Odesa to allow for grain to be exported, citing the threat of Russian attacks on the city.

"The moment we clear access to the port of Odesa, the Russian fleet will be there," spokesperson for the regional administration Sergiy Bratchuk said in a video statement on social media.

The Turkish and Russian foreign ministers met in Ankara Wednesday to discuss the creation of a security corridor to ship Ukrainian grain stuck in the ports due to "a Russian blockade."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow was ready to facilitate the safe passage of Ukrainian grain.