Extension reached for Black Sea grain deal
United Nations – After intense negotiations and several shuttle visits to Kiev, Moscow and Istanbul by other officials, including the UN Secretary General, Russia agreed to extend the so-called deadline. Black Sea Green Initiative.
The deal, which would have allowed the continued supply of vital grain from Ukraine, was due to expire on Saturday evening. Shipments from Ukraine are an integral part of the food supply for countries spanning from North Africa to the Middle East to South Asia. Ukraine is one of the world’s largest grain exporters, and typically supplies about 45 million tons of grain. United Nations
“This initiative facilitates safe transit through designated Ukrainian ports for exports of grains and related foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia,” UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. “During the first two terms, about 25 million metric tons of grain and food items have been moved to 45 countries, helping to lower global food prices and stabilize markets.”
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine just a year earlier, supplies suddenly stopped, prices skyrocketed and millions threatened with starvation. Under a U.N.-brokered deal, grain shipments resumed in July, and the deal was extended last November.
But Russia’s expansion deal was called into question by war-mongering and complaints about Russian fertilizer exports.
“The continuation of the Black Sea Grains Initiative is critical to global food security, as prices and availability of grains and fertilizers have not returned to pre-war levels, particularly in developing countries,” the United Nations said on Monday. I am a cause of trouble,” the United Nations said on Monday.
Even with the agreement, the number of days the contract would be extended sparked controversy and delayed the extension until the 11th hour — and was “vague,” a source close to the talks told CBS News.
On Saturday, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Rehabilitation and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kobrakov Tweeted That the move was extended for 120 days, as Ukraine wanted. On Friday, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that Russia had informed Turkey and Ukraine that they would agree to a 60-day period.
After talks between Russian and UN delegations in Geneva last week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin announced It said on Monday that Russia was “ready to accept” a 60-day extension to see if Russian food and fertilizer exports could improve. Cast doubt first On any renewal last week.
In Geneva on Monday, UN Conference on Trade and Development Secretary-General Rebecca Greenspan and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths met with a Russian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister . Minister
Discussions focused on the Black Sea Grain Initiative – involving Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations – and an agreement between Russia and the United Nations to facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports.
“The two agreements have had a positive impact on global food security, allowing millions of tonnes of grain to reach global markets,” UN humanitarian officials said in a statement.
The agreement has been critical to the efforts of UN humanitarian agencies to help end worsening food crises in some of the world’s poorest parts. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the agreement “has contributed to reducing the global cost of food and offers significant relief to the people who are paying the high price of this war, especially in the developing world.”
Thanking Turkey for co-sponsoring the agreements, the United Nations said the Black Sea Grains Initiative, along with a memorandum of understanding on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers on world markets, is “for global food security.” is important, especially for developing countries.”
