Ukraine war: Ukrainian and Russian grain deal could be extended past November

euronews.com:

Here are the latest news developments from Russia's war in Ukraine:

1. Ukraine grain deal could be extended past November

A senior UN official has said that the deal for returning Ukrainian grain and Russian grain and fertiliser to world markets will likely be extended beyond mid-November.

However, Russia’s UN ambassador has said that Moscow needs to see movement on its own exports first.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cut off shipments of grain and fertiliser from the two key world suppliers, causing food shortages and rising prices, especially in developing countries.

The deal, brokered by the UN and Turkey in July, has seen more than 8.5 million metric tons of foodstuffs shipped from three Black Sea ports in Ukraine, but it runs out in November, necessitating discussions on a renewal.

“It’s important for the market. It’s important for just continuity. And I’m still relatively optimistic that we’re going to get that. We’re working hard,” said UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths, who was in Moscow earlier this month for talks, including about an extension of the agreement.

However, Russia has said that hurdles that need to be overcome for Russian grain and fertiliser to reach global markets remain the same as in July: namely getting insurance for vessels, conducting financial transactions, finding ports of call for Russian ships and freeing up fertiliser on ships detained at European ports.

Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia told reporters that “Russia needs to see the export of its grain and fertilisers in the world market, which has never happened since the beginning of the deal.”

On Saturday, Ukraine’s president accused Russia of artificially creating a line of some 150 ships to slow down Ukrainian shipments.

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