New term still open: Erdogan announces breakthrough in grain deal

New term still open
Erdogan announces breakthrough in grain deal

The grain agreement with Ukraine is important for the food supply of many countries. Just a few hours before departure, Turkish President Erdogan announced a breakthrough. He leaves it open whether the new deal is valid for 120 or just 60 days.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the extension of the grain agreement with Ukraine in the afternoon. “After talks with both sides, we have pledged to extend the agreement, which was due to expire on March 19,” said the Turkish leader in a televised address just hours before the deal was due to expire. However, Erdogan did not initially provide information on the duration of the extension. Ankara previously said it hoped for a 120-day extension. Russia, on the other hand, insisted on an extension of just 60 days.

The grain deal was signed in July, mediated by the UN and Turkey, to allow Ukrainian grain to be safely exported through a protective corridor in the Black Sea. Turkey had played a key role in launching the UN-backed grain deal. The agreement was initially valid for 120 days and was extended by a further 120 days in November.

According to UN figures, more than 24.1 million tons of grain have been exported so far. Parallel to the grain agreement, an agreement was concluded that allows Russia – despite sanctions – to export fertilizers and food. Moscow has repeatedly complained that this agreement will not be implemented.

After the start of its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia had, among other things, blocked the Ukrainian Black Sea ports with its war fleet and thus stopped grain exports. Since Ukraine is one of the world’s largest food exporters, food prices have risen on world markets and at the same time fears of famine in the poorest countries.

In return, Russia, also one of the largest grain exporters in the world, is demanding the easing of Western sanctions against its own agricultural sector. Food is not on the sanctions list. However, the sanctions restrict the options for loading and insuring ships in general and thus indirectly affect the agricultural sector.

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