Kyiv and Moscow agree deal to resume Ukraine grain exports from Black Sea ports, UN chief says

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN

(CNN) Ukraine and Russia have agreed a deal that would allow the resumption of vital grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports, a major diplomatic breakthrough aimed at easing a global food crisis sparked by the war, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday.

Ministers from both countries signed an agreement brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in Istanbul. The breakthrough followed months of negotiations, and promises to unblock ports on the Black Sea to allow the safe passage of grain and oilseeds — some of Ukraine's most important exports.

Russia has so far been blocking maritime access to those ports, meaning that millions of tons of Ukrainian grain has not been exported to the many countries that rely on it.

"Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea. A beacon of hope -- a beacon of possibility -- a beacon of relief -- in a world that needs it more than ever," Guterres said Friday.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/22/europe/ukraine-russia-grain-deal-turkey-intl/index.html

[nuxvomica]

1. Profoundly good news!

This is not a flashy news story but the impact of this will have positive effects across globe. Now it's up to the international community, especially the U.S., to make sure Russia abides by it.

[House of Roberts]

2. Russia is running out of ordnance.

They can't sustain the ground war in Ukraine much longer.
If US fighter jets make it to Ukrainian airspace with Ukrainian pilots in them, Russia is in serious trouble. They are trying to lay the groundwork for a land for peace deal, else they come out of this emptyhanded, or maybe lose Crimea as well.

[Tennessee Hillbilly]

3. Glad to see that Turkey is cooperating

Here is some more information (quoting from the CNN article)

The deal will also allow the unimpeded access of Russian fertilizers to global markets. Russia is a major producer of fertilizers, which are vital to maximizing food production, and the cost of the product has spiralled since the invasion.

Podolyak also added that Ukraine was not signing an agreement with Russia, but with Turkey and the UN. He also said inspections of ships would be carried out in Ukrainian waters, by joint groups, if necessary.

The Black Sea will not be de-mined; a lengthy and complex process that the UN's mining experts, as well as Turkey and Ukraine, agreed was a non-starter. Naval mines in the Black Sea have provided a significant obstacle in efforts to restart grain exports, with Ukraine and Russia accusing each other of mining the waters.

Earlier this month, Ukraine's grain traders' union said it expected a grain and oilseed harvest of 69.4 million tons, marginally higher than previous forecasts but far below the 106 million tons harvested last year.

[Sogo]

4. But they don't agree to stop killing each other....

[electric_blue68]

5. Very good news for so many in (or would be) in need.