An agreement has been reached to deliver Ukrainian grain from the hitherto blocked port of Odesa. That writes the Kremlin-loyal newspaper Izvestia, based on sources in the Russian government.
Russia and Turkey are said to have agreed on a roadmap whereby Turkey would mine the coastal area near Odesa and escort the grain ships into the neutral waters of the Black Sea. Afterwards, Russian warships would accompany the grain boats to the Bosphorus, the connection between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
The agreements would be officialized on Wednesday during a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Turkey.
Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of grain in the world. The Russian invasion of the country has severely disrupted exports, especially as Ukrainian ports are blocked. As a result, there is a risk of famine, especially in African countries. Food prices have risen sharply since the Russian invasion.
Meanwhile, according to the New York Times, the United States has warned more than ten countries that Russia is trying to sell “stolen Ukrainian grain,” mainly in Africa. Ukraine has previously accused Russia of stealing grain from occupied territories and selling it abroad.
