Turkey to hold negotiations with Russia, Ukraine, and UN on grain shipments
- Ahead of the four-way discussion in Istanbul UN chief said there is ‘still a way to go’ to reach an agreemen
Military teams from Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine will meet with UN authorities in Istanbul on Wednesday to negotiate safe grain shipments from Ukraine's strategic Black Sea port of Odesa.
“Military delegations from Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine and a United Nations delegation will be conducting talks in Istanbul tomorrow regarding safe transfer of grain waiting in Ukrainian ports to international markets via sea route,” Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Tuesday, Al Jazeera reported.
Ukraine, one of the world's top grain producers, has struggled to transfer grain due to Russia’s invasion since Feb 24. Kyiv also accuses Moscow of obstructing and stealing its grain.
Russia's maritime blockade of Ukraine has halted shipments, stranding dozens of ships and trapping more than 20 million tonnes of grain stuck in silos at Odesa.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that "there is still a way to go" in the negotiations to restore grain shipments from Ukraine.
“We are working hard indeed but there is still a way to go,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters. “Many people are talking about it. We prefer to try to do it.”
Picture Credits: Reuters
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