The deadline for the agreement on the export of grain from Ukraine through the Black Sea, which was supposed to expire on Sunday, has been extended. This was announced by the Turkish president on Saturday Recep Tayyip Erdogan, quoted by Anadolu agency.
“As a result of our negotiations with both sides, we have secured an extension of the agreement period expiring on March 19,” Erdogan said during a ceremony in Canakkale province.
Erdogan thanked Russia, Ukraine and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for their efforts to extend the grain deal.
Turkey will persuade Russia to extend the grain deal by 120 days
Ankara hopes for a positive outcome
“This agreement, which has so far ensured the transport of 25 million tons of grain to world markets by more than 800 ships, is vital for the stability of global food supplies,” he commented.
At the same time, Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov announced that the deal is being extended by 120 days. “I am grateful to António Guterres, President Erdogan, Minister Hulusi Akar and all our partners for sticking to the agreements,” he wrote on Twitter.
The Black Sea Grain Export Initiative was brokered by the UN and Turkey last July and has already been extended once, in November. It allowed the export of grain from three Ukrainian ports.
Updated
Conflict over the grain deal: Ukraine extends it by 120 days, Russia by 60
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