Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced today, Wednesday, the extension of the Ukrainian grain export agreement through Black Sea ports for two months, just a day before Russia's potential withdrawal from the agreement due to obstacles it claimed were hindering its grain and fertilizer exports.
In this context, the spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, stated that the agreement was extended to assist countries in need, noting that Russia's overall assessment of the situation regarding the agreement "has not changed."
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov welcomed the continuation of the initiative, stating, "Ukraine welcomes the extension of the grain export agreement via the Black Sea, but Russia must not be allowed to undermine the agreement, and it must stop using food as a weapon and means of blackmail."
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the extension, but mentioned that "there are still outstanding issues that Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations will continue to discuss." Guterres remarked that "the continuation of the agreement is good news for the whole world. Looking ahead, we hope that food and fertilizer exports, including ammonia, from the Russian Federation and Ukraine can safely and predictably reach global supply chains."
Earlier today, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported an unnamed source in Istanbul saying, "Talks concerning the grain transport agreement through Black Sea ports are ongoing," adding that a decision today could not be ruled out.
The agreement allows for the safe export of Ukrainian grain via Black Sea ports and was set to expire tomorrow, Thursday.
