UN sees progress in talks to free up Ukraine grain exports

ISTANBUL, 14 July 2022, (TON): The United Nations reported positive results from the first face-to-face talks in months between Russia and Ukraine on a UN plan to ship millions of tons of grain blocked in Ukraine because of the war to world markets and enable Russia to also send out grain and fertilizer.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was to brief reporters on the outcome of the grain meeting in Istanbul. His deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, said “the important point is we believe this is something positive and he will talk to you at some length about why that is.”

The war has trapped about 22 million tons of grain inside Ukraine, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. UN, Turkish and other officials are scrambling for a solution that would empty the silos in time for upcoming harvest in Ukraine.

Some grain is being transported through Europe by rail, road and river, but the amount is small compared with the Black Sea routes.

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