Negotiations on the extension of the “Black Sea grain initiative” have reached a deadlock, – UN representative

UkrAgroConsult

Another series of talks on the extension of the grain initiative has reached a deadlock, The Guardian reports.

This happened after Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and the UN failed to agree on new vessels capable of exporting grain.

Deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq said that daily inspections of previously authorized vessels will continue. The current agreement expires on May 18.

Russia also released a list of requirements it wants to fulfill to extend the agreement.

As a reminder, on April 26, Russia blocked the Black Sea grain corridor – at the joint coordination center in Istanbul, Russian representatives refused to agree on the movement of ships through the humanitarian corridor to and from Ukrainian seaports.

The next day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They discussed the war in Ukraine and the continuation of the “grain initiative.”

Later, it was reported that the deputy defense ministers of Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey will meet in Istanbul on Friday, May 5, to discuss an agreement allowing the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

Tags: Black Sea grain deal