UN Secretary-General António Guterres is on his way to Ukraine on an official visit to discuss the Istanbul “grain” deal, the UN press service said.
“The secretary general has just arrived in Poland on his way to Ukraine. On Wednesday morning he will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenski in Kiev to discuss the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in all its aspects, as well as other topical issues,” the report states.
It is noted that this is the third visit of the Secretary General to Ukraine in the last year.
As reported, the “grain” deal was concluded in Istanbul on July 22, 2022. With the participation of the UN, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine signed two documents, one on creating a corridor for the export of grain from three Ukrainian ports (Chornomorsk, Odessa and Pivdenniy), and the other on removing barriers to the export of Russian food and fertilizers.
The deal is set to expire on March 18. The UN Secretary General previously expressed hope that it would be extended.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the country’s authorities are working hard to extend the Black Sea grain initiative, Reuters reported.
“We are working hard for the smooth implementation and further extension of the Black Sea grain deal,” Çavuşoğlu said, speaking at a UN conference in Qatar.
The Turkish diplomatic chief added that he discussed efforts to extend the “grain deal” with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
On July 22, 2022 in Istanbul with the participation of the UN, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine signed documents to create a corridor for the export of grain from the three ports on Ukrainian territory – the Chernomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny. At the end of February, it was reported that the volume of exports of Ukrainian food products within the framework of the grain deal exceeded 22 million.
The initiative expires on March 18 this year.
Over 15 million tons of agricultural products were exported from Ukraine during the “grain deal”, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey Adil Karaismailoglu said.
“According to the minister, from the first of August to December 25, 585 dry cargo ships departed from Ukrainian ports. A total of 15 million 80 thousand tons of 13 varieties of agricultural products were transported through the “grain corridor,” he said,” reports Anadolu.
He noted that 44% of the products coming from Ukraine were sent to European countries, 29% – to Asian countries, 15% – to Turkey and 12% – to African countries.
On July 22 in Istanbul with the participation of the UN, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine signed documents to create a corridor for the export of grain from three ports in the Ukrainian territory – Chornomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny.
A dry cargo ship with more than 32,000 tons of corn left the Ukrainian port on Friday, the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) reported.
“On December 16, the vessel Almeray left the port of Odessa, it is carrying a total of 32.4 thousand tons of corn to Libya as part of the Black Sea grain initiative,” the report said.
There are two dry-cargo ships headed for Ukrainian ports, which on December 16 passed through the maritime humanitarian corridor.
“As of December 16, the total tonnage of grain and other agricultural products exported from the three Ukrainian ports is 14,023,297 tons. A total of 1,112 vessels were allowed to move so far: 556 to arrive at Ukrainian ports and 556 to leave them,” summarized the JCC.
It is noted that from December 1 to 15, more than 1.6 million tons of Ukrainian food products were shipped to other countries.
As many as 13 million tons were shipped on December 5, 12 million tons on November 26, 11 million tons on November 16, 10 million tons on November 3, 9 million tons on October 28, 8 million tons on October 21, 7 million tons on October 12, 6 million tons on October 5 and 5 million tons on September 28.
Negotiations are currently underway with Russia on the status of the “grain deal” after Moscow announced yesterday that it was suspending participation in it, Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing an unnamed Turkish official.
“Negotiations with Russia on the Black Sea “grain deal” are being held on Sunday, they will continue on Monday, a representative of the Turkish authorities said,” the agency reports.
According to the source of the agency, there are grounds for optimism, despite the current situation.
He also said that ships that have reached Istanbul are being inspected, but no new ships loaded with grain are leaving Ukrainian ports at the moment.
The Joint Coordinating Center in Istanbul (JCC) is in contact with the Russian authorities in connection with the announcement of withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and called on the parties to refrain from actions that jeopardize the implementation of agreements.
“We have seen reports from the Russian Federation about the suspension of their participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative after the attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet. We are in touch with the Russian authorities on this issue,” the SKC said in response to a request from Interfax-Ukraine.
“It is imperative that all parties refrain from any action that could jeopardize the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is a critical humanitarian initiative with a clear positive impact on food access for millions of people around the world,” SKC stressed in a commentary. .
As reported, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced the withdrawal of Moscow from the agreements on the export of grain from the ports of Ukraine. They claim that allegedly Ukraine, with the participation of British specialists, carried out an attack “against the ships of the Black Sea Fleet and civilian ships involved in ensuring the security of the” grain corridor “.
