On June 26, 2023, the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was convened at the initiative of President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in accordance with the crisis consultation mechanism provided for in Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.

The meeting was devoted to the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and Russia's aggressive actions aimed at destroying Ukraine's port infrastructure.

Ukraine's position was presented at the meeting by Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure; and Oleksii Hromov, Brigadier General and Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

Ukrainian representatives briefed the Allies on the current situation in the Black Sea region and suggested possible ways to unblock the export of Ukrainian grain.

NATO Member States condemned Russia's decision to unilaterally withdraw from the grain deal, as well as Russia's actions to stop the export of Ukrainian agricultural products. They also condemned Russia's massive missile attacks aimed at destroying Ukrainian infrastructure. The Allies emphasized that Russia alone is responsible for the global food security crisis and that the use of food as a weapon is unacceptable.

They also expressed their readiness, both individually and within the Alliance, to help establish alternative ways to ensure the export of Ukrainian grain, including by using rail transportation and the port capacities of individual NATO Member States.

All Allies agreed that providing Ukraine with the most advanced air defense systems is the best response to Russia's actions.