First ship with Ukrainian grain to depart on Monday

ANKARA: There is a high probability that the first ship with grain cargo will depart from Ukraine on Monday (August 1), Sputnik News Agency reported quoting Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on Sunday.

“The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain may depart tomorrow morning,” Kalin said. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said that grain exports via the Black Sea will begin in the coming days.

Grain transportation

“With the beginning of maritime grain transportation in the coming days we will make an important contribution to the upcoming global food crisis,” TASS news agency quoting Erdogan reported.

Erdogan had also said that Turkey would continue its efforts to solve the Ukrainian crisis diplomatically.

“We are resolved to continue diplomatic efforts until peace between Russia and Ukraine is ensured. In the near future, we hope to receive encouraging news at talks and with contacts at all levels, including leaders,” the Turkish President said further.

Meanwhile, a high-level UN trade official has said the world body will continue to stay engaged with partners in the European Union, the United States and Russia to understand any obstacles to grain exports in the wake of the deal with Ukraine.

This statement comes as the defence ministers of Russia and Turkey and the infrastructure minister of Ukraine met in Istanbul to ink an UN-brokered deal on grain exports that would allow Russia to export its grain and fertilizers, Washington Post reported.

The agreement has ended a wartime standoff that had threatened food security in several countries and cleared the way for exporting tonnes of Ukrainian grains.