Turkey mediated Russia and Ukraine to extend the grain deal. While Kiev reports another 120 days, Moscow speaks of 60 days.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the UN announced on Saturday the extension of the grain deal between Russia and Ukraine. “After talks with both sides, we have pledged to extend the agreement, which was due to expire on March 19,” Turkish President Erdogan said in a televised speech on Saturday, just hours before the agreement expired .
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov tweeted that the agreement had been extended by 120 days. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Russian news agency TASS that Moscow had agreed to extend the agreement by 60 days.
Moscow: Extension of grain agreements by only 60 days
“We have stated several times – both the Foreign Ministry and Russia’s permanent representative to the UN – that the Russian side has informed all parties to the agreement that it will extend the deal by 60 days,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. This was communicated not only verbally but also in writing to all sides.
The United Nations in New York confirmed the extension of the agreement and thanked Turkey for its diplomatic and organizational support. The grain deal was signed in July, brokered by the UN and Turkey, to allow Ukrainian grain to be safely exported through a Black Sea protection corridor.
Turkey brokers grain deal
Turkey had played a key role in launching the UN-backed grain deal. The agreement was initially valid for 120 days and was extended by a further 120 days in November. Russia had blocked Ukrainian grain exports for months after the start of its war of aggression on February 24, 2022.
According to UN figures, more than 24.1 million tons of grain have been exported so far. Parallel to the grain agreement, an agreement was concluded that allows Russia – despite sanctions – to export fertilizers and food. Moscow has repeatedly complained that this agreement will not be implemented.
Many countries rely on food from Ukraine and Russia
Erdogan thanked Ukraine, Russia and the United Nations for their efforts to uphold the deal, which he described as “vital for the stability of the world’s food supply.”
Ukraine and Russia are important suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other foodstuffs to countries in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia. Before the start of the Ukraine war, Russia was also the world’s largest exporter of fertilizers. The disruption of these supplies following the Russian invasion in February 2022 drove up food prices around the world and fueled fears of a hunger crisis in poorer countries.
Source: zdf
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