ANKARA, Mar 18 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the extension of the «grain deal» after negotiations with the parties.
On Saturday, March 18, the second term of the four-way deal (Russia-Turkey-Ukraine-UN), or the so-called «Black Sea Initiative», on the export of Ukrainian grain expires. On Friday, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Moscow was extending the grain deal by 60 days. Prior to this, the deal was extended for 120 days.
«As a result of our negotiations, we have achieved an extension of the agreement on the grain corridor,» Erdogan said, speaking on Saturday, his words are quoted by TRT Haber.
The deal, which was signed on July 22, 2022 by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN, involves the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizer across the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa. The Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul is in charge of coordinating the movement of ships.
The agreement expired on November 18, 2022, but meant an automatic extension for 120 days until March 18 if there were no objections from any of the parties. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that «no such objections were received,» at the same time noting that the Russian side allows the technical extension of the «Black Sea initiative» for the export of Ukrainian grain without any changes in terms and scope.
The deal is an integral part of a package agreement , which, among other things, provides for the unblocking of Russian exports of food and fertilizers, Moscow noted that this was precisely what was not done. At the same time, there were assurances from the UN that the restrictions would be lifted.