Concerns over the Non-Renewal of Ukraine’s Grain Export Contract

Concerns about the non-renewal of the grain export contract with Ukraine

Although Moscow announced today that the agreement for the transfer of Ukrainian grain has ended, the Ukrainian government emphasized its readiness to export agricultural products even without Russia’s approval.

With the mediation of Turkey and the support of the United Nations last year, this contract allowed for the transfer of thousands of tons of agricultural products that were left in Ukrainian warehouses because Russia had closed their export route through the Black Sea.

Russia, Turkey, and the United Nations were negotiating in Istanbul to renew this contract, but now Moscow says its conditions have not been met and the contract has ended.

The spokesperson for the Ukrainian presidency said today that Ukrainian ships are ready to move without Russia’s permission, provided that Turkey allows them to cross its maritime border.

Experts say that the movement of these ships without Russia’s consent would be very dangerous.