The UN Secretary-General’s representative, Stephane Dujarric, conveyed in a briefing that there is a strong hope the international organization will see its grain agreement extend beyond the originally planned expiry on 18 March. During that briefing, the spokesperson noted a continued belief that the operation should keep moving forward and that shipping lanes must remain active to prevent disruption to humanitarian deliveries. The response also indicated a cautious stance on committing to a specific extension beyond the current term, emphasizing the objective of sustaining the mechanism rather than pre-empting any formal decisions.
In the days that followed, the UN’s commitment to upholding and implementing the grain accord was reaffirmed, alongside a clear intention to avoid interrupting maritime traffic linked to food shipments. The representative made it clear that while efforts will be directed at preserving the framework, the question of a precise extension—such as an additional 60 days—was not resolved in that moment and required further deliberation among all relevant parties.
On 17 March, statements from Alessandra Vellucci, the press secretary at UN Geneva headquarters, indicated ongoing discussions about extending the grain agreement at multiple levels, including considerations at the level of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The same day, a spokesperson for the Russian President indicated Moscow’s position in favor of extending the grain deal for a further 60 days, signaling contrasting views among key stakeholders. The unfolding dialogues underscored the complexity of aligning international, regional, and national interests while ensuring uninterrupted access to essential food supplies for those in need. [Source attribution: UN communications, TASS coverage]