Wed 17 May 2023:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the Black Sea grain deal between Ukraine and Russia has been extended for two more months.
Erdogan’s comments, made in a speech to officials of his governing AK Party, came after the last ship left a Ukrainian port under the deal. The agreement, which allows Ukrainian ships to export grain and fertilisers from their Black Sea ports, was due to expire on Thursday.
Russia’s foreign ministry says the Kremlin will comment on the extension of the deal later.
‘Even in the darkest hour, there is always a beacon of hope’: Guterres
UN chief Antonio Guterres says “even in the darkest hour, there is always a beacon of hope and an opportunity to find solutions that benefit everyone.”
In a tweet, he welcomed the extension of the Black Sea grain deal for an additional two months, a day before it was set to expire.
I welcome the confirmation by the Russian Federation to continue its participation in the Black Sea Initiative for another 60 days.
Even in the darkest hours, there is always a beacon of hope & an opportunity to find solutions that benefit everyone.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 17, 2023
UN chief says issues remain after Black Sea grain deal renewed
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the extension of a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain for another 60 days, but noted that outstanding issues remained.
“The continuation is good news for the world,” Guterres told reporters. “Looking ahead, we hope that exports of food and fertilisers, including ammonia, from the Russian Federation and Ukraine will be able to reach global supply chains safely and predictably.”
He said that Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN would continue to engage in discussions on the topic.
Ukraine welcomes Black Sea Grain deal extension
Ukraine has welcomed the extension of the Black Sea grain deal but warned that Russia must not be allowed to sabotage the deal by using food “as a weapon and blackmail”.
“We welcome the continuation of the Initiative, but emphasise that it must work effectively,” Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov added on Facebook.
‘Our assessment regarding the Black Sea Grain deal has not changed’: Kremlin spokeswoman
Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says that Russia agreed to extend the Black Sea grain deal for two months to help countries in need.
But she highlighted that Moscow’s assessment of the deal has not changed.
Earlier, Russia had threatened not to extend the grain deal until its “systemic concerns” regarding its agricultural demands had been resolved.
Russia’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya also stressed that the deal was extended because Russia has “not lost hope” that its problems linked to the deal will not be sorted out.
US says certainty needed on Black Sea grain deal
The White House has hailed the two-month extension of the pact allowing Ukraine grain exports, but said the world needs more certainty from Russia about the crucial food supply chain.
“It’s a good thing that it has been extended,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
“Unfortunately, Russia continues even in a moment of extension to rhetorically hold it hostage in various ways, to suggest its days are numbered,” Sullivan said of the agreement.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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