Current:Home > ScamsExtension reached for Black Sea grain deal-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Extension reached for Black Sea grain deal
lotradecoin trading rewards program View Date:2024-12-26 04:06:09
United Nations – After intense negotiations and multiple shuttle trips to Kyiv, Moscow and Istanbul by U.N. officials, including the secretary-general, Russia agreed to an extension of the so-called Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The deal, which will allow for the continued exportation of crucial grain supplies from Ukraine, had been due to expire on Saturday evening. The shipments from Ukraine are an essential part of the food supply for countries stretching from North Africa to the Middle East to South Asia. Ukraine is one of the world's largest grain exporters, and normally supplies around 45 million tons of grain, according to the U.N.
"The Initiative allows for the facilitation of the safe navigation for the exports of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilizers, including ammonia, from designated Ukrainian seaports," U.N. Secretary-General spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. "During the first two terms, some 25 million metric tonnes of grain and foodstuffs have been moved to 45 countries, helping to bring down global food prices and stabilizing the markets."
The sudden halt in shipments following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, just over a year ago, sent prices skyrocketing and threatened millions with hunger. Under a U.N.-brokered agreement, grain shipments restarted in July, and the agreement was extended last November.
But with the war raging and Russia's complaints about the exports of fertilizers, Russia's agreement to extend came into question.
"The continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative is crucial for global food security, as grain and fertilizer prices and availability have not returned to pre-war levels, causing hardship particularly in developing countries," the U.N. said Monday.
Even with the agreement made, the number of days that the deal would be extended had sparked controversy and delayed the extension until the 11th hour — and remains "ambiguous," a source close to the negotiations told CBS News.
On Saturday, Ukraine's restoration and infrastructure Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov tweeted that the initiative had been extended for 120 days, as Ukraine had wanted. On Friday at the Security Council, Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Russia informed Turkey and Ukraine that they would agree to 60 days.
Following talks in Geneva last week between delegations from Russia and the U.N., Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin announced on Monday that Russia was "ready to accept" a 60-day extension in order to see if progress can be made on the export of Russia's food and fertilizers, after previously casting doubt on any renewal last week.
On Monday in Geneva, Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development, and Martin Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, met with a delegation from the Russia led by the deputy foreign minister.
The discussions focused on both the Black Sea Grain Initiative — which involves Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the U.N. — and an agreement between Russia and the U.N. to facilitate exports of Russian food and fertilizer.
"The two agreements have had a positive impact on global food security, with millions of tons of grain reaching global markets," U.N. humanitarian agency officials said in a statement.
The agreement has been important to U.N. humanitarian agencies' efforts to help alleviate a worsening food crisis in some of the poorest parts of the world. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said the deal "contributed to lowering the global cost of food and has offered critical relief to people, who are also paying a high price for this war, particularly in the developing world."
Thanking Turkey for its joint stewardship of the agreements, the U.N. said that the Black Sea Grain Initiative with the Memorandum of Understanding on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to the world markets, "are critical for global food security, especially for developing countries."
- In:
- Ukraine
- Russia
- United Nations
Pamela Falk is the CBS News correspondent covering the United Nations, and an international lawyer.
TwitterveryGood! (4)
Related
- Democrats try to block Green Party from presidential ballot in Wisconsin, citing legal issues
- Few have flood insurance to help recover from devastating Midwest storms
- Who will make US gymnastics team at Olympic trials? Simone, Suni Lee and what to watch
- 7-Eleven Slurpees go beyond the cup with new limited-edition Twinkies and Drumstick treats
- A weatherman had a panic attack live on air. What it teaches us.
- Target Circle Week: 'Biggest sale of the season' includes 50% off toys. Here's how to shop in July
- 'Forever 7': Grieving family of murdered Oklahoma girl eager for execution 40 years later
- Kourtney Kardashian Details How She Keeps Her “Vagina Intact” After Giving Birth
- A teen was falling asleep during a courtroom field trip. She ended up in cuffs and jail clothes
- Woman arrested after threatening to ‘blow up’ Arkansas governor and her office
Ranking
- A slain teacher loved attending summer camp. His mom is working to give kids the same opportunity
- Biden pardons LGBTQ+ service members convicted for sexual orientation
- He flipped off a trooper and got charged. Now Vermont is on the hook for $175,000
- Sudan's raging civil war could see 2 million starve to death. Aid agency says the world is not watching
- Ryan Reynolds on his 'complicated' relationship with his dad, how it's changed him
- Former St. Louis principal sentenced after hiring friend to kill pregnant teacher girlfriend
- Christina Applegate’s 13-Year-Old Daughter Details Her Own Health Struggles Amid Mom’s MS Battle
- Euro 2024 odds to win: England, Spain among favorites heading into knockout round
Recommendation
-
Rob Schneider Responds to Daughter Elle King Calling Out His Parenting
-
Amazon joins exclusive club, crossing $2 trillion in stock market value for the first time
-
What Is It Really Like Partying With Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce? Jimmy Kimmel Explains
-
US journalist Evan Gershkovich goes on secret espionage trial in Russia
-
Hurricane Ernesto aims for Bermuda after leaving many in Puerto Rico without power or water
-
Is she a murderer or was she framed? Things to know about the Boston-area trial of Karen Read
-
Texas added more Hispanic, Asian and Black residents than any other state last year
-
Blac Chyna’s Kids Cairo and Dream Look All Grown Up During Rare Public Appearance