Ukraine holding tough talks to prolong grain deal – Podolyak

Ukraine is holding tough talks to ensure grain exports continue from its Black Sea ports even after a deal on such exports expires next month.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian President’s Office, said this in an interview with Bloomberg, Ukrinform reports.

“We hope for a prolongation of the mandate to bring grain out of Ukraine’s ports,” said Podolyak.

At the same time, he declined to elaborate on when any results can be expected, describing the talks as “complicated.”

According to Podolyak, Ukraine doesn’t negotiate with Russia directly, there are sub-negotiating groups that also include Turkey and the United Nations.

As reported, on July 22, in Istanbul, at the proposal of the United Nations, Ukraine, Turkey, and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres signed the initiative on the safe transportation of grain and food products from Ukraine’s ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi. The agreement only runs for 120 days.

The first ship with Ukrainian foodstuffs left the port of Odesa on August 1.

Since the “grain corridor” was launched, 260 ships have exported 6 million tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products.

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