UN notes Russia’s announcement about extending grain deal for 60 days - TASS

The UN took into account the words of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin that Moscow is ready to extend the Black Sea grain initiative, but only for 60 days instead of 120 like it was before, the UN press office said in a statement published Monday.

On Monday, the Russian delegation led by Vershinin held talks with the UN, represented by Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

"The UN notes the announcement made today by the Russian Federation regarding an extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative for 60 days," the statement reads.

"The discussions focused on the implementation of the two agreements signed on 22 July 2022: the Black Sea Grain Initiative between the Russian Federation, Turkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations; and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Federation and the UN, to facilitate unimpeded exports of food and fertilizer," the United Nations noted. "The UN Secretary-General expressed today that the UN remains fully committed to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, as well as to efforts to facilitate the export of Russian food and fertilizer."

The UN Secretary General reaffirmed that the UN "will do everything possible to preserve the integrity of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and ensure its continuity."

"The UN’s support to the agreements made in Istanbul is part of the global response to the most severe cost-of-living crisis in a generation," the statement reads. "The two agreements have had a positive impact on global food security, with millions of tons of grain reaching global markets. The Black Sea Grain Initiative has allowed the exports of 24 million MT of grains and over 1,600 secure vessel voyages through the Black Sea with 55 per cent of food exports going to developing countries."

"The continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative is crucial for global food security, as grain and fertilizer prices and availability have not returned to pre-war levels, causing hardship particularly in developing countries," the UN said.