(MENAFN) After intense negotiations and shuttle trips to Kyiv, Moscow, and Istanbul by U.N. officials, including the secretary-general, Russia has agreed to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The deal, which was set to expire on Saturday evening, will allow for the continued exportation of crucial grain supplies from Ukraine. Ukraine is one of the world's largest grain exporters, supplying around 45 million tons of grain, according to the U.N. The shipments from Ukraine are essential to the food supply for countries stretching from North Africa to the Middle East to South Asia.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative allows for the safe navigation of the exports of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers, including ammonia, from designated Ukrainian seaports. The initiative has played a significant role in bringing down global food prices and stabilizing markets by facilitating the movement of 25 million metric tonnes of grain and foodstuffs to 45 countries during the first two terms.
The sudden halt in shipments following Russia's invasion of Ukraine over a year ago sent prices skyrocketing and threatened millions with hunger. However, under a U.N.-brokered agreement, grain shipments restarted in July, and the agreement was extended last November. But with the war still raging and Russia's complaints about the exports of fertilizers, there were concerns about the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The U.N. officials, including the secretary-general, conducted shuttle diplomacy to resolve the issue, and after intense negotiations, Russia agreed to extend the initiative. The extension is crucial for Ukraine's economy, which has been hit hard by the conflict with Russia. The initiative will also provide food security for millions of people in countries that rely on Ukrainian grain exports.
The agreement to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative is a welcome development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It shows that diplomatic efforts can yield positive results, even in the midst of a crisis. The extension of the initiative will help to stabilize the global food market and provide much-needed relief to millions of people affected by the conflict. The U.N. officials' efforts demonstrate the organization's commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts and promoting stability and prosperity worldwide.
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