UN Sends Proposal to Putin to Save Grain Export Agreement

A United Nations spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, indicated that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday proposing a way forward to increase the facilitations granted for Russian food and fertilizer exports and to ensure the continuation of the Ukrainian grain export agreement via Black Sea ports. Dujarric stated on Wednesday that "the goal is to remove the obstacles that affect the financial transactions made through the Russian Agricultural Bank, which is a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, while allowing for the continuous flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea." The agreement allowing the safe export of grain and fertilizers from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea is set to expire next Monday.