Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that he intends to “intensify” negotiations with Russia and Ukraine to reach an agreement on the UN plan for the export of Ukrainian grain to the world market.
We will intensify talks within a week or ten days and try to get a result,” Erdogan said during a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Turkey has been in contact with the United Nations, Ukraine and Russia for the elaboration of a plan that allows the export, through safe corridors in the Black Sea, of millions of tons of Ukrainian grain accumulated in silos.
THE Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters. of wheat, maize and sunflower oil, but the Russian invasion interrupted most of this flow, causing a shortage of food resources in many developing countries, especially in Africa.
The Ukrainian government blamed the situation on the Russian naval blockade of its ports, while Russia believes that Ukrainian sea mines are preventing the safe movement of agricultural exports.
Draghi welcomed the possibility of a solution that would allow not only grain and fertilizers to be sent to poor countries, but also signify the first agreement between Ukraine and Russia since the beginning of the war, which is approaching its fifth month.
“This agreement is also very important in a more general perspective, and in the context of efforts to guarantee peace”, considered the head of the Italian Government.
Last week, Draghi indicated that the UN plan on the export of Ukrainian grain through safe sea corridors could guarantee the emptying of silos before the next autumn harvest, since it does not involve the demining of ports. He also said that this plan requires Russian approval.
On February 24, Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine, condemned by most of the international community, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and tightening economic and political sanctions on Moscow.
Source: Observadora
