United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterresarrived in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, where he plans to meet with the president this Wednesday morning, Volodymyr Zelensky, to address the renewal of the agreement grain exports from the country.
“The secretary general is in Kiev. He will meet with Volodymyr Zelensky later. Progress of the Black Sea Grain Initiative Guterres’ spokesperson said in a message posted on Twitter, on all aspects and other related issues.
This is Guterres’ third visit to the country since Russia launched its military action a little over a year ago. He will return to New York when the trip concludes on Thursday.
Ukrainian sources said Tuesday that talks to expand the agreement have already begun. not directly Russia. Ukraine has previously said it wants the agreement to be extended by at least one year to ensure stability for exporters and importers and to ensure the inclusion of the port city of Mikolaiv in the south of the country.
The grain export agreement between Moscow and Kiev, reached in July 2022, is in effect only until 18 March, as determined in the most recent extension, but the UN insists it is necessary. expand it again. food safety World.
The United Nations estimates that it has already authorized the export of about 23 million tons of goods from the three Ukrainian ports with an almost constant flow of inflows and outflows. The agreement guarantees the safety of the ships regardless of the ongoing clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces.