Russia gave concessions on food exports to Ukraine, UN-brokered deal in Turkey

Picture: Collected

Turkey and the United Nations had been mediating between Russia and Ukraine for some time on the deal as global concerns over food grew. An agreement was finally reached in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday (July 22, 2022) signed by the United Nations and Turkey, in addition to Russia and Ukraine.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu signed the agreement on behalf of Russia in Istanbul. Ukraine's delegation was led by Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Infrastructure.

Under the deal, Russia will relax its blockade of the Black Sea to allow food exports by ship from Ukraine. Turkey says that this agreement will facilitate the export of food not only to Ukraine, but also to Russia through the Black Sea.

Five months after the start of the war, Russia imposed a naval blockade in the Black Sea off the coast of Ukraine, cutting off Ukrainian exports.

A lot of food grains are lying in warehouses across Ukraine for months for export. About two million tons of food grains are now stored in warehouses in Odessa port on the Black Sea coast.

They are now expected to be exported to food-scarce countries in Africa and the Middle East.

But the level of mistrust between Russia and Ukraine has left observers concerned about how well the deal will ultimately work and how long it will last.

The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams says the agreement on paper is great news for everyone. After five months, Ukraine is getting the opportunity to export food. As a result, countries that depend on Ukraine's wheat and oilseeds will survive to some extent.

Soon after the confirmation that the agreement was going to be reached, the price of wheat in the world market fell quite a bit. Russia will also have some difficulties in exporting its own food. More importantly, Russia will have an opportunity to refute allegations that food is being used as a weapon by Russia and is causing famine in many countries.

But Paul Adams says there are risks the deal could collapse at any time.

First, Ukraine has mined large areas off the coast of the Black Sea to prevent Russia from massing troops by sea. They now have to ensure mine-free 'safe passage' at sea for sheep to dock.

Ukraine fears that if it does, the Russian army may take advantage of it in the future.

In a statement Thursday night, Ukraine's foreign ministry said it would sign the deal only if it guarantees the security of southern Ukraine and the continued "strong military position" of the Ukrainian army in the Black Sea.

 On the other hand, Russia's condition is that Ukraine cannot bring weapons by sea in any way due to food exports.

There is also doubt as to how interested shipping companies will be in going to Ukrainian ports. Because, if there is an explosion on one of the ships in the sea, this agreement will be broken. After that, no ships will approach the shore.

|Source: Online/SZK