UN leader António Guterres said this Wednesday negotiation against time to prevent the deal Ukrainian grain exportsKeeping the global food crisis from worsening remains a dead letter. The agreement, which will expire on March 18, if Russia and Ukraine do not renew, Questioned by Moscow days ago if they don’t get up sanctions Focusing on the agricultural products trade of Russia
Under these conditions, the Portuguese diplomat met in the capital of Ukraine with the president of this country, Volodímir Zelenski. The Black Sea Grain Agreement, adopted last July With the mediation of the UN and Turkey“Allows the export of 23 million tons of grain from Ukrainian ports” and “contributed” reduce overall food cost “This has provided critical relief to people who have paid a heavy price for this war, especially in developing countries,” Guterres said.
Thanks to the deal”food price index Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) fell almost 20% “For the past year,” continued Guterres, Zelenski continued, “We agreed today that the extension of the agreement after 18 March is very necessary for the whole world.” for our efforts to stabilize food markets.”
Russian fertilizers
In a nice diplomatic exercise, Guterres also added that both food exports and “Ukrainian fertilizers, like those of the Russians, are “basic” The context is that the grain agreement, which also provides for the export of Russian fertilizers, has difficulties in fully realizing this second objective of the agreement.
With that in mind, Guterres He once again condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and pointed to victims deserve “effective accountability”According to some sources, this is an indication that the diplomat is at the negotiating table for the UN to provide more support for an investigation. War crimes committed in Ukraine. So much so that Guterres, in his speech before Zelensky, talked about the video incident of the “apparently killed suddenly” Ukrainian soldier.
This murder is different.tragic reminder that the laws of war must be obeyed The UN Secretary-General described the execution as “shocking”, saying “absolutely”. In addition, the diplomat took advantage of the opportunity to realize the purpose of the UN “a just peace Based on the UN Charter, international law and the last General Assembly resolution one year after the start of the war”.
No trip to Moscow
UN sources announced that Guterres will not go to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as he had done before. But they remembered Guterres speaking. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of RussiaSergei Vershinin before his trip to Kiev and Russian delegation expected He will meet with United Nations officials in the coming days.
On the other hand, Guterres also reminded the importance of creating a safety zone in the vicinity. Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, a proposal from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that has not yet had a positive outcome. “I believe it would also be important to seek a possible mediation. complete demilitarization of the regionwhile ensuring that the facility can return to its normal operations,” he concluded.