The “Razoni”, loaded with around 26,000 tons of corn from Ukraine, was the first ship to leave the Ukrainian port of Odessa on Monday as part of the grain agreement signed by Ukraine and Russia. Meanwhile, Moscow again warned that the grain agreement would fail.
The ship in Istanbul is to be inspected by representatives of Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations on Wednesday morning, the joint coordination center in the metropolis announced on Tuesday. The freighter was last expected to arrive in Istanbul on Wednesday night.
Coordination center in Istanbul
With the deliveries from the Ukraine, millions of tons of grain should once again be available for the world market. Before the Russian war of aggression, Ukraine was one of the most important grain exporters in the world. Billions of dollars are at stake for the country.
War opponents Ukraine and Russia signed an agreement with Turkey separately on July 22, through the mediation of the United Nations, in Istanbul to allow grain exports from Ukraine from three ports. This also marked the establishment of the coordination center in Istanbul.
Russia again warns of failure
Meanwhile, Russia again warned of a possible failure of the grain agreement. The agreement on the export of grain has a package character, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday, according to the Interfax agency. “That’s why we warn against attempts to delay or not to fulfill the second part of the package,” she said, referring to the prospect of easing some sanctions against Russia.
Russia has consistently said it expects in return that its grain, food and fertilizer exports can also resume in full force. The country complains that exports have been severely affected as a result of the sanctions imposed by the West. Although the punitive measures imposed because of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine do not directly affect grain exports, they do have an indirect effect, according to Moscow.
Source: Nachrichten
