NEW YORK (dpa-AFX) – According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, a first breakthrough has been achieved in the dispute over grain exports from Ukraine. At the talks between representatives of the United Nations, Ukraine, Russia and Turkey in Istanbul, a “decisive step” was taken towards a solution, Guterres told journalists in New York on Wednesday. “Today we finally have a bit of hope.” Guterres initially did not share any details. But he said, “More technical work will be needed for today’s progress to materialize.”
The international community has been demanding that Russia allow the export of Ukrainian grain for weeks. Ukraine complains that the Russian Navy is blockading its Black Sea ports. Russia denies blocking wheat exports. The two countries are among the largest wheat exporters and play an important role in global food security. The United Nations recently warned of the worst famine in decades.
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