By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - The US thanked Türkiye on Thursday for its efforts to help Ukraine and Russia reach a deal to secure grain exports from the war-torn eastern European nation.
"We applaud the diligent work of our Turkish allies," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, also lauding UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his "hard work" in securing the deal.
The pact is slated to be signed Friday in Istanbul, according to Turkish officials. The country's Communications Directorate said Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be on hand for the signing ceremony at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office.
Tons of Ukrainian grain are stuck in Black Sea ports due to a blockade imposed by Russia during its now five-month war, causing global shortages and price hikes. Russia has maintained that Western sanctions are to blame for the food shortages.
Ukraine is colloquially referred to as a global "breadbasket," and is the fifth-largest wheat exporter worldwide, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
UN officials warned in June of endangered world food security due to Russia's war on Ukraine, saying it poses the threat of famine, destabilization and mass migration worldwide as Russia blockades Ukraine's ports, which normally send grain to the world.
The US and its allies have accused the Kremlin of attempting to use Ukrainian agricultural exports as "blackmail" to gain leverage to lift US and partner nations' sanctions.