Russia-Ukraine grain deal to be signed today, says Turkey
Russia-Ukraine war: Up to 25 million tonnes of wheat and other grain have been blocked in Ukrainian ports, with each side blaming the other for the stand-off.
Ukraine and Russia are expected to sign a deal Friday to re-open Black Sea ports to exporting grain, raising hopes an international food crisis triggered by Moscow’s invasion could be at an end.
Ukraine and Russia – both among the world’s biggest exporters – did not immediately confirm an announcement made by Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan’s office, but Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy late last night hinted ports in the area could be unblocked.
The proposed ‘package deal’ has been facilitated by Turkey and the United Nations; UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and the Turkish president will be in attendance as the papers are signed at Istanbul’s lavish Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus Strait.
The signing ceremony is expected at 1.30 pm GMT (7 pm IST), Reuters reported.
“The grain export agreement, critically important for global food security, will be signed in Istanbul tomorrow under the auspices of President Erdogan and UN secretary general Mr Guterres, together with Ukrainian and Russian delegations,” a spokesperson tweeted.
This – the first major accord since Russia invaded Ukraine February – is the product of two months’ negotiation led by the UN and Turkey and will be welcome news amid soaring global food prices and people in some of the world’s poorest nations facing starvation.
The United States has welcomed the deal, but state department spokesperson Ned Price said Washington would focus on holding Moscow accountable for carrying out the agreement.
Like the US, Ukraine has expressed caution over the deal. Its foreign ministry told Reuters another round of talks would take place Friday and that the Kyiv delegation would only support decisions that guarantee the safety of the country’s southern regions.
Up to 25 million tonnes of wheat and other grain have been blocked in Ukrainian ports by Russian warships and landmines Kyiv laid to avert a feared amphibious assault. Russia, meanwhile, had insisted on its right to check all incoming ships for weapons.
In more good news for global markets, Russia on Thursday restored critical gas supplies to Europe through Germany via the Nord Stream pipeline after 10 days of maintenance.