Representatives of Russia and Ukraine signed in Istanbul agreements with Turkey and the UN on the export of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea. This was announced by UN Secretary General António Guterres.
The agreement involves the export of grain from the ports of Chornomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny, which will remain under the control of Ukraine. The duration of the deal, which can be extended, will be 120 days.
The document entitled «Initiative for the safe transportation of grain and food from Ukrainian ports» will secure Ukraine's control over its ports, writes Ukrayinska Pravda.
The ports are not going to be cleared of mines — ships without military escort will be allowed through safe fairways, RIA Novosti and TASS report with reference to the UN. A coordinating center will be created in Istanbul to monitor the export process, which will include Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. The grain corridor will start operating in the coming days, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. alt=»1″ />The battle with the harvest. Why the lack of Ukrainian grain has brought the world to the brink of starvation
The Russian and Ukrainian sides did not sign a direct agreement. First, the agreement with Turkey and the UN was signed by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, then by the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov.
According to Guterres, the grain export agreement “will help to avoid a catastrophe with food shortages for millions of people around the world.” the world.» At the same time, in an interview with the BBC, the UN Secretary General said that the organization does not have the opportunity to «punish Russia» if it violates the treaty, but noted that this would be «an unacceptable scandal, and the entire international community will react very harshly.»