UN and Russia to Discuss Extension of Black Sea Grain Export Agreement on 13th This Month

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Russia and the United Nations will begin discussions next week in Geneva, Switzerland, to extend the agreement guaranteeing Ukraine's grain exports through the Black Sea.

According to TASS news agency on the 9th (local time), Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, told reporters that "the negotiations will be held on the 13th, with the Russian government delegation attending."

Zakharova also stated that on the UN side, Secretary-General Greenspan and Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, will participate in the negotiations.

On July 22 last year, Ukraine and Russia signed an agreement, mediated by the UN and T?rkiye, to guarantee the export of grain and fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia through the Black Sea. This agreement allowed Ukrainian grain to be exported through three Black Sea ports.

The original agreement was set for a 120-day term and was scheduled to expire on November 17 last year but was extended once. If there is no opposition from the parties to the agreement, it will be extended again on the 18th of this month. However, Russia demands that obstacles to its grain exports be removed. Russia maintains that exports of Russian fertilizers are still restricted due to sanctions imposed by Western countries.

Therefore, this negotiation is expected to focus on the UN finding a compromise regarding Russia's demands.

Zakharova said, "If the West does not implement the parts concerning Russian grain and fertilizer exports and delays, the prospects for extension will be pessimistic."

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