UPDATE 2 - Black Sea grain deal extended for another 2 months: Turkish president

UPDATES WITH COMMENTS FROM RUSSIA

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - The Black Sea grain deal, which was set to expire on May 18, was extended for another two months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday.

"With the efforts of our country, the support of our Russian friends, and the contributions of our Ukrainian friends, it was decided to extend the Black Sea grain corridor agreement for another two months," Erdogan said during his address to Justice and Development (AK) Party's provincial heads, deputies and mayors via video link.

Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine initially signed the agreement in Istanbul last July to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were halted after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022.

A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN was set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments.

"We hope that we will see the days when the war between Russia and Ukraine will end, first with a permanent cease-fire and then with peace," Erdogan said.

The president thanked his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for their efforts.

"In addition, our Russian friends stated that they will not prevent the exit of Turkish ships from Mykolaiv and Olvia ports. We are grateful to them for this," he added.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said the Black Sea grain initiative continues to be valid until July 18.

"Grateful for our partners @UN and Türkiye for efforts in strengthening world food security. Main challenge now is to make #BSGI efficient by cancellation artificial barriers," Kubrakov said on Twitter.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia agreed to another extension of the grain deal in order "to give a chance not in words but in deeds to help ensure global food security."

She said that Russia's concerns were not addressed, adding that the elimination of "imbalances" in the implementation of the grain deal should be "corrected as soon as possible."

Russia sought the removal of obstacles to the exports of agricultural products, namely banking restrictions, most recently last Wednesday and Thursday.