NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time around: the news of the grain deal between Russia and Ukraine is being welcomed worldwide. At the same time, compliance with the agreements is emphasized.
The agreement makes it possible for grain to be exported again from three Ukrainian ports (in Odessa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhne). Until now, grain exports across the Black Sea have been blocked by Russia, leaving millions of people around the world suffering a food crisis. Ukraine is one of the largest grain producers in the world.
The agreement was signed on Friday in the Turkish city of Istanbul, in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN chief António Guterres. The UN chief called the deal “a beacon of hope, opportunity and relief in a world that needs it more than ever”.
According to Erdogan, the first Ukrainian grain shipments across the Black Sea “will get underway very soon”. He spoke of a “historic day” as the deal “will help prevent famine and reduce global food inflation”.
Ukraine and Russia not at the same table
It is striking that, in addition to expressing praise, many countries also make an explicit appeal to compliance with the agreement. “We welcome the announcement of this agreement in principle, but we are now focused on holding Russia accountable for the implementation of this agreement,” a US spokesperson said. Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The EU also insisted on compliance. Foreign chef Josep Borrel called it “a step in the right direction”. “We call for swift implementation.” European Council President Charles Michel tweeted: “This deal could benefit millions of people around the world. Strict implementation of the deal is now paramount to make this work”.
Although the agreement is a major breakthrough in relations between Russia and Ukraine, it became clear during the signing ceremony on Friday that the relations between the two countries are tense. The countries signed separate agreements with Turkey and the UN, because according to an adviser to Zelensky, “Ukraine does not sign documents together with Russia”. Moreover, the delegates from both countries were not sitting at the same table during the signing.
War continues in eastern Ukraine
The agreement is a small ray of hope in a still very dark and bloody war. Currently, the battle is mainly in eastern Ukraine. There, the Russians are engaged in an offensive with the aim of taking control of the Donets Basin.
And that struggle still takes the lives of innocent Ukrainians every day. On Friday, three people were reported dead in an attack on a school in the town of Kramatorsk. A school in Kharkiv was also reported the day before. Another 23 people were injured.
For the time being, it does not appear that the battle in eastern Ukraine will be over any time soon.