31 minutes agoRussian, Ukrainian officials arrive in Turkey to sign grain deal
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)Russian and Ukrainian officials have arrived in Turkey to sign an agreement supported by the United Nations enabling the transport of grain exports from Ukraine, while the world risks facing a food crisis, mainly due to Moscow's unprotested attack on Ukraine. The Russian Defence Ministry has said [...]
The Russian Defence Ministry has said the minister, Sergei Shoigu, has arrived in Istanbul, where the agreement is expected to be signed on 22 July.
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov has also arrived in Turkey.
The Turkish government has said on July 21st that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an agreement about grain supplies, following talks in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Mykhaylo Podolak, senior adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, has said on Twitter that Ukraine will not sign agreements with Russia, but with the UN and Turkey, until Russia signs a similar deal.
He added that “will not have wheat bearing with Russian ships, nor will there be Russian presence at our ports”.
“In the event of any provocations, we will respond immediately through the army”, he said, adding that transportation inspections will be conducted by joint teams in Turkey's waters.
More than 20 million tonnes of wheat have been blocked in southern Ukraine, since Russia has launched an unprotested attack in Ukraine on February 24th.
Russian news agencies have quoted several sources as saying three Ukrainian ports will be reopened, including the largest state port of Odessa.
The United States has welcomed reports of agreement, but the US State Department has said it will focus on holding Russia responsible for its implementation
