The Kremlin has said that grain shipments will resume in the coming days from the Ukrainian port of Berdiansk occupied by Russia after work to demine the area, as its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with the its Turkish counterpart.
However, the Turkish Foreign Minister made a more considerate note, saying more talks would be needed between Moscow and Kyiv to ensure the safety of any ship carrying exports.
Speaking alongside Lavrov in Ankara, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu described a UN plan to launch a maritime corridor for Ukrainian grain exports as “reasonable”, but added that Russia and Ukraine should agree any agreement.
“Various ideas have been put forward for the export of large Ukrainians to the market, and more recently, it is the UN’s plan. [including] a mechanism that can be created between the UN, Ukraine, Russia and Turkey, “said Çavuşoğlu.” We see it as reasonable. “
Most of Ukraine’s grain exports have been halted since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in late February and blocked the country’s Black Sea ports, where 90 percent of the world’s fifth-largest grain exporter traded. largest in the world.
The sudden halt in exports has raised concerns that the war in Ukraine will trigger a global food crisis and push millions into famine.
The UN subsequently called on Russia and Ukraine, as well as NATO member Turkey, which has authority over maritime traffic to and from the Black Sea through the Bosphorus Strait, to agree a runner.
According to the UN, Russia and Ukraine supply about 40% of wheat consumed in Africa, where prices have already risen by 23%.
Any grain corridor operated by Turkey would probably involve cargo ships leaving Odessa, which is in the hands of Ukraine, and other Black Sea ports with a Turkish naval escort, before traveling to Turkey and the markets. global.
Lavrov, who has blamed Western sanctions for the food crisis, said Ukraine had to allow commercial ships to leave their ports safely to reach any agreement on a grain corridor.
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Turkey, which has good relations with Kyiv and Moscow, made a show at the start of the war of trying to act as a mediator between the two sides, but ceasefire talks have faded since then.
Ankara has said it is ready to take on a role as part of an “observation mechanism” if any kind of grain export agreement is reached.
An agreement between Russia and Ukraine is a vital starting point for cereal exports to resume, but several other things would have to be adjusted.
Shipping industry experts say Ukraine’s coastal waters should be cleared with special insurance and strict guarantees for the safety of ships and crew before any shipowner is willing to send a fleet to the Black Sea.