Senior U.N. officials will meet with a high-level Russian delegation in Geneva on Friday to discuss the extension of a Black Sea grain export deal from Ukraine and efforts to facilitate shipments of Russian food and fertilizer to global markets. the UN said.
The deal allowing the export of food and fertilizer from several Ukrainian Black Sea ports, negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey on July 22, could expire on Nov. 19 if Russia or Ukraine oppose its expansion.
An important part of the measures agreed in July is also to facilitate exports of Russian grain and fertilizers. The organization has said that Russian grain exports have increased, however, it is necessary to work to alleviate the cooling effect on Russian fertilizer exports that Western sanctions have had on Russian fertilizer exports.
U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths, who is leading talks on Ukrainian exports, and U.N. trade official Rebecca Grynspan, who is leading discussions on Russian food and fertilizer exports, will meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin on Friday, a U.N. spokesman said.
“The discussions are expected to advance the progress made to facilitate the unhindered export of food and fertilizer from the Russian Federation to global markets,” the organization’s spokesman said Wednesday.
Russia last week suspended participation in the pact allowing exports from the Black Sea for several days after accusing Ukraine of using it as cover to attack Russian ships in Crimea. Kiev has neither confirmed nor denied being behind the attack.
Although Moscow resumed its cooperation, President Vladimir Putin said he reserved Russia’s right to withdraw again. However, if he did, Putin said he would not impede grain shipments from Ukraine to Turkey.
More than 10 million tons of grain and other food have been exported from Ukraine under this agreement, according to the United Nations. The organization has warned that the war in the country is worsening the global food crisis and pushing tens of millions of people into hunger.
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