Türkiye's diplomatic victory in resolving global food crisis

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) - The deal signed Friday in Istanbul will ensure the safe passage of grain and food items through three Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chernomorsky and Yuzhny.

With the mediation of Türkiye and the UN, Ukraine and Russia signed the deal to resume shipments blocked since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, which is now in its fifth month.

Under the deal, which is an important step in the solution of the global food crisis, a coordination center will be established in Istanbul to carry out joint inspections at the entrances and exits of harbors, and to ensure the safety of the routes.

The deal came after a general agreement was reached between the parties on a UN-led plan during talks in Istanbul on July 13.

The pause in grain and other food exports due to the ships stuck in Ukrainian ports increased the risk of a global food crisis.

More than 25 million tons of grain are waiting to be shipped abroad from Ukrainian ports.

Internationally praised for its mediator role, Türkiye coordinated with Moscow and Kyiv to open a corridor from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa to resume global grain shipments.

This March, Türkiye hosted a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers in the Mediterranean city of Antalya, part of its key role in mediating between the warring sides.