Ukraine and Russia have signed agreements with Turkey and the United Nations in the Turkish city of Istanbul, guaranteeing the export of grain from Ukrainian ports across the Black Sea despite their war. UN chief Guterres announced the agreement.
The UN will coordinate the operations needed to implement the accord and make the shipping routes safe from Istanbul. According to observers, the Turkish navy will play an important role in securing the shipping routes and inspecting cargo ships. Other countries may be approached by the UN to help. The Netherlands has previously offered minesweepers.
The war between Ukraine and Russia is a battle between two of the largest grain producers in the world. Ukraine cannot export grain because of the struggle and Russia has problems with trade because of sanctions. The prices of wheat, among other things, have skyrocketed and there is a threat of food shortages in large parts of the world. Eritrea, for example, imports more than half of its grain needs from Russia and the rest from Ukraine. Turkey exports nearly 86 percent of its grain to those two countries, Egypt 74 percent, Pakistan over 72 percent and Tanzania two-thirds of its grain needs.