By Betul Yuruk
UNITED NATIONS (AA) - The United Nations said Wednesday that ships are expected to sail Thursday after Russia's return to a deal allowing grain exports from Ukraine.
“We expect ships to start moving tomorrow,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
The grain deal was initially signed for 120 days and can be automatically extended on Nov. 19 if no party objects, according to Dujarric.
“We very much hope it will be done,” he said. “We saw today a downward trend in wheat future prices as soon as the announcement was made. So, we know this has real-life consequences for millions of people.”
Russia suspended the deal for what it said was a Ukrainian attack on its Black Sea fleet at the port of Sevastopol. It resumed implementation of the agreement earlier in the day after mediation from Ankara and the UN.
Türkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine signed the agreement to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were paused after Moscow's war on Ukraine in February.