While fighting, Ukraine and Russia sign wheat export agreement

Ukraine and Russia will sign a progress agreement today designed to help alleviate the global food crisis caused by blocked grain exports to the Black Sea.

This marks the first major agreement between the warring parties since Russia's invasion in February, and comes after global food prices have increased and people in some of the world's poorest countries face hunger, Euronews writes.

The agreement is mediated by Turkey and the United Nations, and President Recep Tayip Erdogan will join UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, for a signing ceremony at 13:30 at Istanbul's “Dolmabahce” Palace.

The first direct talks between military delegations of the warring parties since March, followed by Turkish and UN officials last week in Istanbul, came up with an initial draft resolution to the stalemate.

The parties should have met again this week for the possible signing of an official agreement.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to derail the talks, warning Tuesday that he expected any agreement to also address his country's blocked grain exports. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was also reserved for any possible agreement being reached, claiming authorities in Kiev are blocking the talks.

The five-month war is under way in one of Europe's most fertile regions by two of the world's largest grain producers.

Ukrainian officials say they don't trust Moscow.