Grain deal to be extended - Bloomberg

According to Turkish officials, the agreement that allows Ukraine to export crops from key ports across the Black Sea will be extended. Russia has so far agreed to stay in the deal.

Bloomberg reported this, Ukrinform says.

The deal, brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations, will keep a major trade route open amid Russia's war against Ukraine and increase global food supplies.

Moscow has threatened to withdraw from the agreement if obstacles to the supply of its own crops and fertilizers are not removed.

The announcement is expected Wednesday, said the officials, who declined to be identified because the information is confidential.

The Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Yuriy Vaskov has not yet confirmed the deal, noting in a text message that it is too early to comment.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a conference call with journalists that there was nothing to announce, and that Russia would announce its decision in due course.

As Ukrinform reported, on March 18, 2023, Ukraine, the United Nations, and Türkiye agreed to extend the Initiative for the Safe Transportation of Agricultural Products through the Black Sea. According to Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction - Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, the agreement was extended for 120 days. At the same time, the Russian side states that the agreement will be in effect until May 18 this year.

According to Ukraine's Ministry of Reconstruction, as of May 8, 2023, 90 vessels were awaiting inspection in Turkish territorial waters, of which 62 were ships undergoing loading. Inspections of both the incoming and outgoing fleet were suspended due to the actions of the Russian side.

Two-day talks on the Black Sea Grain Initiative at the level of deputy defense ministers ended in Istanbul on May 11. It was agreed to continue negotiations in the same format soon.