Ukraine's Black Sea grain deal will be extended for another two months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced, in a breakthrough that allows vital food supplies to reach global markets.
Erdoğan announced the extension on Wednesday, just a day before it was due to expire – and less than two weeks ahead of Turkey's May 28 runoff presidential election. He thanked leaders of Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations.
"It is going to be very important for the access of countries in need of wheat and grain products, and I hope that this decision of extending the grain deal for two more months will be auspicious for all relevant parties," Erdoğan said on Turkish public broadcaster TRT World.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, a U.N.-brokered agreement signed between the world body, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey on July 22, 2022, will now continue at least until mid-July. It was previously extended for two months in mid-March.
🌾 More than 14M tons of grain exported via Black Sea grain corridor
— ANADOLU AGENCY (@anadoluagency) May 17, 2023
🚢 13 types of grain transported by 951 ships
Black Sea grain deal, which Türkiye helped broker last year in a bid to avert a potential food crisis amid the Russia-Ukraine war, is extended for 2 more months… pic.twitter.com/xO5hTxyOcc
30 million metric tons shipped
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the decision.
"The continuation is good news for the world," he said. "Outstanding issues remain. But representatives of Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey and United Nations will keep discussing them. I hope we will reach a comprehensive agreement to improve, expand and extend the initiative."
Just over 30 million metric tons of grain and agricultural products have been exported from a region known as "Europe's breadbasket" under the deal, which allows Ukraine's grain shipments to sail on the Black Sea and on to foreign ports.
After Russia's expanded invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Russian warships blockaded Ukraine's ports on the Black Sea. It took months to negotiate the safe sea corridors now overseen by the U.N.'s Black Sea Grain Initiative Joint Coordination Center.
Ensuring the safe export of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia, from designated Ukrainian seaports, helps to curb global hunger and high food prices.
Unthinkable truth: 43 million people in 51 countries are on the brink of starvation right now.
— Cindy McCain (@WFPChief) May 16, 2023
The world must respond before it is too late. #FightFamine pic.twitter.com/8t0YSjR4RY
