UN chief sees ‘ray of hope’ after breakthrough at Ukraine-Russia grain talks in Türkiye
- Ukraine, the UN and Türkiye hailed progress at talks that aim to resume Black Sea grain exports blocked by Russia
- A deal is seen as vital for food security, notably among developing nations, and for stabilising markets
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Deal reached to end Russia’s blockade of Ukraine grain exports and ease global food crisis
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the first meeting in weeks between Russia and Ukraine took “a critical step” forward to ensuring the export of desperately needed grain from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports to help ease the global food crisis.
Türkiye’s defence minister said agreements would be signed when negotiators meet again in Istanbul next week.
The UN chief cautioned that “more technical work will now be needed” to reach an agreement, “but the momentum is clear … I’m encouraged. I’m optimistic, but it’s not yet fully done.”
With the war in Ukraine in its fifth month and much of the world seeing food prices soar and millions in developing countries facing hunger and possible starvation, getting grain and fertiliser shipments moving again from two of the world’s major exporters is crucial.
Guterres proposed a package deal in early June to unblock shipments of Ukrainian wheat and other food crops from the Black Sea and lift restrictions on Russia’s exports of grain and fertiliser. He kept tight-lipped about progress – until Wednesday.