Russia and Ukraine extend grain agreement for two more months
Turkish President Erdogan has announced that the grain agreement between Russia and Ukraine has been extended for another two months just before its expiration. Both Kiev and Moscow have confirmed the extension.
Confirmation from Kiev and Moscow
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to extend the grain agreement for another two months, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who spoke after negotiations in Ankara. Erdogan thanked his “dear friend” Russian President Vladimir Putin for his “sincere support” and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi for his “constructive cooperation.” He also thanked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his efforts. The spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, also confirmed the extension of the agreement.
Calls for further security measures
While German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir welcomed the renewal of the agreement, he called for further security measures. Özdemir stated that it was not new for Russian President Putin to use the agreement as a tool to enforce his interests. He believes Russia should continue the agreement without any restrictions as it has committed in front of the international community.
Export of 30 million tonnes of food
In July 2022, the Black Sea grain initiative was established, mediated by the United Nations and Turkey, allowing controlled grain exports from the Black Sea ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi. Representatives of the UN, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey control the shiploads in Istanbul to ensure only food and no weapons are onboard. Since the start of the grain corridor, nearly 30 million tonnes of agricultural products have been exported.
Importance of Ukraine and Russia for global grain
Before the war, Russia and Ukraine accounted for almost a quarter of the world’s grain exports, supplying wheat, barley, sunflower oil, and other foods to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Russia was also the world’s largest exporter of fertilizers before the invasion, and the loss of these deliveries caused food prices to soar worldwide, raising concerns about a global hunger crisis in poorer countries.
New talks will determine the continuation of agreement
Russia has threatened to scrap the agreement, citing Western sanctions that hinder its own grain and fertilizer exports. Last week, new negotiations on the agreement’s continuation began in Turkey between representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey. In the meantime, approximately 70 ships are waiting for approval in Turkish waters, according to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.