UN to do its ‘utmost’ to ensure integrity, continuity of grain deal

GENEVA (AA) – UN will do its “utmost” to ensure continuity of the Black Sea grain deal, the director at UN Information Services has said, noting that consultations are still ongoing.

As the deal is ending and there is still no outcome of the ongoing consultations, Alessandra Vellucci said in the bi-weekly briefing that they are “not going to speculate” on what will be happening about the extension tomorrow.”

“What we can tell you is that today and until when it’s necessary, we will do our utmost to ensure the integrity and the continuity of this agreement,” she said. “That is as much as I can say on this subject.”

Regarding Russia’s announcement that the deal is extended by 60 days, she said there are three parties with the signing authority to this deal and that one of them just made public its position on the matter.

“We can speak for the UN and on the UN side, the only thing I can say is that the discussions are ongoing,” she said, and added that according to the current agreement, which is public and can be read by everyone, it “foresees the renewal for 120 days.”

The UN wants to continue ensuring that the memorandum of understanding, which includes the facilitation of the trade of Russian fertilizers, is put into implementation, she also said.

Vellucci noted that the UN is engaging at all levels regarding the grain deal.

Last July, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. The deal was extended for 120 days in November.