– by Ezgi Erkoyun and Max Hunder
ISTANBUL/KYIV (Reuters) – The prospect of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine on grain exports across the Black Sea is raising hopes of an easing of the food crisis in many countries. The United Nations (UN) announced on Friday that the agreement should be signed at 4:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. CEST) in Istanbul. The Russian Presidential Office said Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu would be in Turkey for the signing. According to insiders, the infrastructure minister is expected from Ukraine. An official confirmation from the government in Kyiv was still pending. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine’s Black Sea ports could be reopened soon.
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According to the Turkish government, the appointment will take place in Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey had already announced the plans on Thursday. The UN also announced that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would attend the ceremony alongside representatives of Russia and Ukraine. On Thursday evening, the Foreign Ministry in Kyiv spoke of further UN-led talks in Turkey. Selenskyj said in a video speech that news from Turkey can be expected on Friday with a view to lifting the port blockade.
The UN and Turkey have been trying for two months to reach what Guterres calls a “package” deal that would see Ukrainian grain exports resume from the Black Sea region and facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer shipments. Both countries are among the most important exporters in this area. The blockade of Ukrainian ports by the Russian Black Sea Fleet and Western sanctions against Russia have exacerbated global supply shortages, and food and energy prices have skyrocketed.
TASS: PORT OF ODESSA TO OPEN AGAIN
Details of the planned agreement were initially not known. However, Russia’s state-owned news agency Tass reported that three Ukrainian ports – including Odessa – were to be reopened. Around 20 million tons of grain are ready for export in the silos in the port of Odessa, and dozens of ships are stuck. The US welcomed the emerging agreement and stressed that Russia must also implement the agreements. The government in Moscow rejects accusations that it is responsible for the aggravation of the food crisis. She criticizes the West for sanctions and Ukraine for mining access roads to Russian Black Sea ports.
During the preparations for the agreement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the EU held out the prospect of easing some sanctions. According to diplomats, the agreement is about, among other things, safe passage for Ukrainian grain ships through mined port waters. In addition, Turkey should inspect freighters with the support of the UN in order to allay Russian concerns about arms smuggling. NATO member Turkey maintains good relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
Russia invaded the neighboring ex-Soviet republic on February 24 and described its action as a special operation with the aim of destroying military capacities and taking action against nationalists classified as dangerous. Ukraine and its allies speak of a war of aggression.
(With the collaboration of Orhan Coskun in Ankara and Emma Farge in Geneva, written by Elke Ahlswede, edited by Kerstin Drr. If you have any questions, please contact our editorial team at [email protected])