Ukraine’s grain export deal extended for two months – Erdoğan

President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, announced the extension of the Black Sea grain initiative for another two months until July 18.

Without the extension, the agreement would have expired automatically on Thursday, May 18.

With the efforts of our country, the support of our Russian friends, the contribution of our Ukrainian friends, it was decided to prolong the Black Sea grain deal for two more months," Anadolu quotes the Turkish leader during his address to party members and officials of his Justice and Development Party.

Erdoğan did not specify whether the extension of the "grain deal" includes the changes previously insisted upon by Russia, particularly the lifting of certain sanctions.

We will continue our efforts to ensure the fulfillment of all terms of the agreement and its continuation in the next period, Erdogan assured.

The Russian side promised not to prevent Turkish ships from entering the ports of Mykolaiv and Olvia, he said.

We hope that we will see the days when the war between Russia and Ukraine ends first with a permanent ceasefire and then with peace, Erdogan added.

Ukraine's deputy minister for infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov confirmed the extension of the deal.

The world will continue to receive Ukrainian products thanks to the efforts of our partners in the agreement. We are grateful for their steadfast and purposeful position that the agreement should continue to work and on the terms signed by all parties, he said.

Kubrakov added Ukraine has already exported 30.4 million tons of agricultural products thanks to the initiative.

The minister noted that almost 70 ships are currently waiting in the territorial waters of Türkiye, 90% of which are ready to deliver the products of Ukrainian farmers to the world.

On March 18, 2023, Ukraine, the UN, and Türkiye agreed on the extension of the "Initiative for the safe transportation of agricultural products across the Black Sea."

The validity of the agreement was extended for 120 days, however, Russia stated that the agreement will be valid until May 18, 2023.

Since April 2023, the Russian side has constantly blocked the implementation of the "grain deal." From May 8 to 14, 2023, no ship passed inspection at the entrance to the seaports of Ukraine.