The head of the United Nations warmly welcomed Russia’s decision to end the suspension of the grain agreement with Ukraine |
The United Nations-brokered agreement made through the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) in Istanbul involving Russia, Ukraine and Türkiye, was signed in July, allowing grain, oil and other crops. Other foods are leaving their war-torn countries for foreign markets – many of them desperately needing food from Europe’s “bread” to stave off the risk of starvation.
On Saturday, Russia said it was ceasing cooperation and would no longer guarantee safe passage along the agreed humanitarian corridor of ships through the Black Sea, and announced that Ukraine had launched an invasion. attack on their military ships in Crimea.
Promoting diplomacy
In a statement welcoming his Spokesperson, António Guterres said he was grateful for Türkiye’s “diplomatic efforts,” “and thanked the United Nations Coordinator, Amir Abdulla, and his team.” worked to keep this important food supply open. “
In an earlier morning tweet, Mr Abdulla said he waslooking forward to “return to cooperation with all parties in the Initiative. “
The secretary-general has engaged in relentless behind-the-scenes talks to get the deal back on track, which is set to expire at the end of this month. On Monday, the UN Security Council debated Russia’s suspension of the operation, with senior United Nations officials stressing that it has had a “positive impact around the world”.
Aid chief Martin Griffiths and UN chief of trade and development Rebeca Grynspan said exports from Ukraine and Russia under the agreement had helped lower grain prices, stabilize markets and help feed supplies. for millions of people as hunger and inflation increased.
For Ukrainian farmers like Volodymyr Vasyliovych, the war means the inability to export their produce, with the dire prospect of their harvest spoiling in warehouses, while being unable to invest. necessary investment due to shrinking revenue.
The transaction must be renewed
Russia and Ukraine account for about 30% of total wheat and barley exports, a fifth of corn and more than half of sunflower oil.
Mr. Griffiths said that under the Initiative, it is clear that all member countries need to implement the agreed terms, to ensure that Russian food and fertilizer exports can also reach the global market.
In his statement, the head of the United Nations said he would continued “his engagement with all parties towards innovation and full implementation of the Initiativeand he is also committed to removing the remaining obstacles to Russian food and fertilizer exports.”
