With Turkey's mediation, Ukraine and Russia sign grain export agreement

(Patria) - Russia and Ukraine are signing a grain export agreement this afternoon in Istanbul, announced the office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who mediated the talks between the two sides. Erdogan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tehran to discuss grain exports.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, along with representatives from Ukraine and Russia, will attend the signing ceremony to be held at 3:30 PM Central European Time at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.

The agreement is intended to enable the export of Ukrainian grain stored in warehouses due to the blockade of Black Sea ports, and to facilitate the export of Russian grain and fertilizers. An agreement is possible in the coming days, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

"We have hope for the grain. We hope to have good news in the coming days," he said, adding that he is optimistic, in an interview with public television TRT. The agreement should allow for the renewed use of Black Sea ports through the establishment of safe routes and a ceasefire in transit areas.

Inspections of merchant ships are planned, which would most likely be entrusted to Turkey to ensure that ships going to Odesa for grain do not carry weapons. The establishment of a coordination center in Istanbul, involving UN and maritime experts, is also planned, diplomats said.

Ukraine's Black Sea ports, until recently the main export hubs for agricultural products, have been blocked since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February. The two countries are major grain exporters to global markets. Russia is also a major producer of fertilizers, and Ukraine of oils.

The signing of the agreement between Ukraine and Russia is expected to quickly impact the reduction of prices that have been rapidly rising in recent months. The resulting food crisis threatens famine in a number of countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as Lebanon and Egypt.