Turkey and the UN are preparing a new grain agreement between Ukraine and Russia – media

Turkey and the UN are preparing new talks between Ukraine and Russia on a ceasefire in the Black Sea. The agreement is intended to protect grain ships, as well as ports and energy facilities from attack.

This is reported by Bloomberg, citing sources.

The meetings could take place as early as early October. Representatives of the Swiss “Center for Humanitarian Dialogue” are to assist in the negotiations.

The idea was discussed in late September during a closed meeting at the UN General Assembly, attended by representatives of Turkey, the United States, European countries, India, and Egypt.

The parties are currently trying to agree on the safe passage of merchant ships through the Black Sea. Separately, there is talk of protecting ports and energy infrastructure.

One of the main reasons for the new attempt to reach an agreement is the situation with grain exports. Ukraine and Russia account for more than a quarter of global wheat exports, and attacks on port infrastructure have already affected world prices.

Countries that rely heavily on grain imports are particularly affected by rising food prices, and the situation has been made worse by poor harvests in some regions of the world due to adverse weather conditions.

Turkey and the UN want to use the experience of the 2022 grain agreement. Then Ukraine was able to export grain and other agricultural products through a safe corridor in the Black Sea.

Recall that the free trade agreement between Ukraine and Turkey came into force on October 1. The document provides for the abolition of customs duties on a number of goods or the application of reduced rates.