UN Agrees to 120-Day Extension of Black Sea Grain Deal

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] It has been reported that the Black Sea grain export corridor agreement has been extended under the existing conditions.

On the 17th (local time), according to the Istanbul Joint Coordination Center (JCC), Ant?nio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, said, "I welcome the agreement by all parties to continue the Black Sea grain deal, which allows the safe export of grain, food, and fertilizers from Ukraine." The JCC is an organization jointly operated by the UN, T?rkiye (Turkey), Russia, and Ukraine to oversee matters related to the agreement.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, also stated on Twitter, "Together with UN Secretary-General Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, we have made an important decision to respond to the food crisis," adding, "The agreement will be extended for 120 days. We are awaiting the official announcement from our partners."

Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Infrastructure, also mentioned on Facebook, "Negotiations have just been concluded in Istanbul, and the UN welcomed the agreement of all parties."

However, Russia has been reserved in its comments. According to Russian news agencies, a Russian official stated that the export of Russian fertilizers through the Black Sea is not included in the extension agreement and that their position will be announced later.

On July 22, Ukraine and Russia, under the mediation of the UN and T?rkiye, signed the Black Sea grain deal to safely export grain, food, and fertilizers from both countries through the Black Sea. The agreement was set for a total of 120 days and was due to expire on the 19th of this month. Russia had not decided on whether to extend the agreement, having reversed its participation until recently.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.