The Ukraine-Russia Black Sea Safe Grain Export Agreement brokered by Turkey and the United Nations has been extended. The announcement was made by the United Nations and Turkey on Saturday (March 18).
The agreement between Russia and Ukraine was completed in July last year, mediated by the United Nations and Turkey. Later in November the period was extended for another 120 days. The main goal of this agreement was to deal with global food crisis.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 last year, the Black Sea was blocked, and grain export activities were stopped. A massive food crisis began around the world. The price of food products has increased manifold in different countries.
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That deal was set to expire on Saturday.
The United Nations and Turkey said on Saturday that the deal had been extended, but did not specify how long. Ukraine says it has been extended for 120 days. But Russia’s cooperation is needed and Moscow has agreed to renew the deal for only 60 days.
“The Black Sea Grain Initiative, in addition to supplying Russian food products and fertilizers to global markets, is critical to global food security, particularly for developing countries,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
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Ukraine’s Minister of Agriculture Mykola Solsky said that Ukraine has provided about 500,000 tons of wheat for the United Nations aid program. He also said on Saturday that the export agreement through the Black Sea has been extended for 120 days.
Russia and Ukraine supply one-tenth of the world’s food. They produce 30 percent of global wheat exports as well as 60 percent of sunflower oil. At least 26 countries depend on Russia-Ukraine for more than half of their food grains.
Source: Reuters
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