UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths confirmed that efforts will continue over the coming days to extend the agreement allowing the safe export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. This agreement has been threatened by Moscow's potential withdrawal on May 18 due to obstacles affecting its grain and fertilizer exports.
During a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine, Griffiths stated, "The continuation of the Black Sea initiative is critical, as is the recommitment of the parties to operate smoothly and effectively." He added, "We will continue to call on everyone to assume their responsibilities, while the world watches us closely." Griffiths noted that the initiative includes the export of ammonia, which has not yet been realized, indicating that "food exports remain within the Black Sea initiative, and food and fertilizer exports from the Russian Federation contribute critically to global food security."
