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Ukraine: UN Secretary-General may negotiate direct grain export agreement with Russia and Kyiv

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres may soon meet with representatives of Russia and Ukraine in Turkey to ensure the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea ports, sources close to the council told AFP.

According to the diplomats, the talks have progressed to the point where the Secretary-General can now negotiate directly with Moscow and Kyiv, possibly starting next week.

However, the same sources warned against over-optimism, noting the deep distrust of both sides and the obstacles that still exist to conclude an agreement. A Western diplomat also questioned whether Moscow was really committed to the process.

Officially, the UN only confirms that negotiations are taking place.

A large part of the international community has been calling on Russia for weeks to allow the export of Ukrainian grain.

The governments of the two countries – both major grain exporters – have blamed each other for problems with deliveries to international markets, which have led to a sharp rise in world food prices, with the UN warning of a famine in several, especially poorer countries.

The Turkish news agency Anadolu reported that Turkey hopes to hold a summit to conclude an agreement on grain exports involving Russia, Ukraine and the UN within weeks.

SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ

Source: Capital

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