Ukraine announces that it is working to resume grain exports

“After the signing of the agreement by Russia on the unblocking of the ports of Ukraine for the export of grain, work has resumed in the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdeny”, it is emphasized in a notice distributed on social networks by the Ukrainian Navy.

On the other hand, the Turkish Minister of Defense, Hulusi Akar, announced that a working group has been created in Istanbul that will supervise the export of Ukrainian grains, after the historic agreement reached with the participation of the UN.

Russia and Ukraine signed the deal, brokered by Ankara and the United Nations, last Friday to reopen grain and fertilizer exports that have been blocked by the war, easing an international food crisis.

According to the Turkish minister, the group of 20 people, employees from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations “will work side by side to ensure that exports are carried out according to the agreement”.

Meanwhile, the Polish Prime Minister said that “Russia cannot be trusted to respect this agreement”, as according to him, one day after the signing, Moscow attacked the port of Odesa in Ukraine with rockets.

The UN and Turkey hope that more than 25 million tons of wheat will be exported from Ukraine. The UN, Ukraine and Russia have all said they expect exports to begin within days.

But Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said on Wednesday that the deal could fall apart if barriers to Russia’s agricultural exports are not removed immediately.

Ukraine’s sea shipments have stalled since February, causing a sharp rise in global prices for grains, cooking oils, fuel and fertilizers.

Moscow has denied responsibility for the food crisis, blaming Western sanctions for slowing exports./VOA