Officials close to the United Nations say that a formal reply to the letter from Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, to Vladimir Putin regarding the extension of the grain agreement has not yet been received. The update came during a briefing where the lack of a response was noted, signaling continued global concern over the terms and duration of the pact that governs critical grain shipments. The silence on a direct reply leaves many questions about the next steps and the timeline for any potential renewal or modification of the arrangement, which has broad implications for food security in several regions that depend on these imports.
In Istanbul, a high-level meeting focused on the broader framework surrounding the grain agreement is expected to take place in the coming days. Participants anticipate discussions that will address compliance, monitoring mechanisms, and guarantees that all parties can trust to ensure predictable and uninterrupted grain exports. The agenda is likely to include assessments of current bottlenecks, potential amendments to existing commitments, and contingency plans should negotiations stall or diverge from the agreed path. The setting in Istanbul underscores the importance of direct diplomacy and regional engagement in resolving the complex challenges facing the deal.
Former foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has publicly linked the extension of the grain agreement to Turkey’s ability to secure assurances that meet Russia’s stated requirements. He suggested that any progress on extending the pact hinges on addressing those non-negotiable conditions, and that progress will depend on whether all parties can demonstrate compliance and good faith in upholding the terms already laid out. In this context, the discussion moves beyond a simple renewal and toward concrete assurances that the mechanism will function smoothly and transparently for the duration of its next phase.
On April 24, the Secretary-General sent proposals to extend the grain agreement directly to the President of Russia, outlining a framework intended to address the concerns raised by Moscow while preserving the essential goals of the arrangement. Similar correspondences were directed to the leaders of Türkiye and Ukraine, signaling a multi-actor approach that seeks to align interests and expectations across the involved nations. The messages emphasized practical steps, verification processes, and timelines designed to bolster confidence that shipments will proceed with clarity and predictability, reducing uncertainty for exporters, importers, and the communities that rely on these food supplies.