Russia, Ukraine agree to release blockaded grain exports
(VOVWORLD) - Russia and Ukraine agreed Friday to restart shipments of blockaded grain, in a step toward easing a global crisis that has exposed tens of millions of people, especially in Africa and the Middle East, to the threat of acute hunger, the UN Secretary General announced.
 A wheat field next to Rai-Oleksandrivka village, on July 1, 2022 (Photo: AFP/ VNA) |
One of the two agreements signed in Istanbul, brokered by the United Nations and aided by Turkey, guarantees the safe passage of commercial ships from the Ukrainian port of Odessa and two other ports. The grain agreement is in force for a period of 120 days, and is renewable.
The same day, the US called on Russia to allow the export of Ukrainian grain stuck at Black sea ports. White House spokesman John Kirby said the US expects the implementation of the agreement to commence swiftly to prevent the world's most vulnerable from sliding deeper into insecurity and malnutrition.
The United Nations, the European Union and many other countries hailed this agreement and expressed their hope the agreement would help stabilize the world food market and also open a prospect for peace for the military conflict in Ukraine.