Ukraine, Russia to sign deal to reopen grain ports, Turkey says | World News,The Indian Express
The blockade by Russia's Black Sea fleet has worsened global supply chain disruptions and, along with Western sanctions imposed on Moscow, stoked high inflation in food and energy prices since Russian forces swept into Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Russia and Ukraine will sign a deal on Friday to reopen Ukrainian Black Sea ports for grain exports, Turkey said, raising hopes that an international food crisis aggravated by Russia’s invasion can be eased.
Ukraine and Russia, both among the world’s biggest exporters of food, did not immediately confirm Thursday’s announcement by the office of the Turkish presidency. But in a late-night video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hinted that his country’s Black Sea ports could soon be unblocked.
The blockade by Russia’s Black Sea fleet has worsened global supply chain disruptions and, along with Western sanctions imposed on Moscow, stoked high inflation in food and energy prices since Russian forces swept into Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Full details of the accord were not immediately released. It was due to be signed at 1330 GMT on Friday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s office said. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who would potentially co-sign any deal, was heading to Turkey. The Russian defence minister and Ukrainian infrastructure minister were also heading to Istanbul for the signing, sources said.
Zelenskiy, whose address focused mainly on Ukrainian forces’ potential to make gains on the battlefield, said: “And tomorrow we also expect news for our state from Turkey – regarding the unblocking of our ports.”
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