ISTANBUL: Turkey claimed on Friday that negotiations to extend a treaty permitting grain exports from Ukraine through the Black Sea following the Russian invasion were close to an agreement.
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said, “We are moving towards an agreement on the extension of the grain deal.” According to AFP, Akar referred to negotiations this week in Istanbul involving representatives from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and the United Nations. Tuesday, the United States and Britain urged Russia to renew the agreement and accused Moscow of using world hunger as a weapon in the conflict.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative has been in effect since July due to diplomatic efforts by the United Nations and Turkey. This initiative permits Ukraine to export grains through ports, easing shortages and the ensuing price increases brought on by Russia’s invasion of the country that supplies most of the world’s bread. However, as of the 18th of May, Russia has not formally agreed to a third extension.
