The grain agreement expires today – could affect food security – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

The agreement, which has ensured the export of grain and fertilizer from Ukrainian ports across the Black Sea, is coming to an end. If Putin does not agree to an extension. Before the weekend, the Russian president said he has not made up his mind. The UN agreement, which Turkey helped negotiate, has allowed Ukraine to send over 32 million tonnes of grain and other agricultural products past Russian warships since August last year. The grain agreement is important for food security. When the full-scale war started, the prices of food rose sharply. Photo: AP Could affect food security Russia has threatened to withdraw from the agreement because they claim that their own demands for improved exports of grain and fertilizer have not been met. Among other things, they want them to also have access to the Swift system, i.e. to send money across national borders. In addition, they believe that poor countries have not received enough grain. EU President Ursula Von der Leyen has also asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend the grain agreement. Von der Leyen fears that it could affect the world’s food security if the agreement is not extended. – The ball is in President Putin’s corner, and the world is watching, Von der Leyen said, according to Reuters. Important for diplomacy The grain agreement has worked well so far. When the war started, food prices rose sharply. But the grain agreement had a big effect, and food prices fell by 20 per cent when it came into place in August last year. It is particularly important for many on the African continent, where many live on the brink of poverty. It is uncertain whether the Russian president will agree to renew the agreement. Here from a field in Ukraine. Photo: AP This is therefore an important point for diplomacy in Africa, and for the relationship between Putin and several African countries. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said he has sent a letter with a proposal to extend the grain agreement that allows Ukraine to safely transport grain and fertilizer through the Black Sea – without risk of Russian attack.



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