New York | Reuters — The United States is working with the United Nations to address Russian complaints that sanctions are hindering its food and fertilizer shipments, even though there has been no disruption to Moscow’s exports of the commodities, a senior U.S. official said on Friday. The United Nations, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia agreed […] Read more

U.S. working with U.N. on Russia food, fertilizer export complaints
Black Sea pact up for renewal in November

U.N., Moscow discuss Russian grain, fertilizer exports
Grain not getting to poorer countries, Putin alleges
United Nations | Reuters — Senior U.N. and Russian officials met in Geneva on Wednesday to discuss Russian complaints that Western sanctions were impeding its grain and fertilizer exports despite a U.N.-brokered deal to boost Russian and Ukrainian shipments of the commodities. The United Nations, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia agreed on July 22 on what […] Read more

U.N. expects ‘big uptick’ in ships wanting to export Ukraine grain
United Nations | Reuters — The United Nations expects a “big uptick” in ships wanting to export Ukraine grain through the Black Sea after transit procedures were agreed and a goal of two to five million tonnes a month is “achievable,” a senior U.N. official said Wednesday. Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations agreed […] Read more

Russia, Ukraine agree to protect Ukraine grain shipping channel
London/New York | Reuters — Ships exporting Ukraine grain through the Black Sea will be protected by a 10-nautical mile buffer zone, according to long-awaited procedures agreed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations on Monday and seen by Reuters. The United Nations and Turkey brokered a deal last month after Russia’s Feb. 24 […] Read more

Deal to resume Ukraine Black Sea grain exports to be signed Friday
Istanbul/United Nations | Reuters — Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will sign a deal on Friday to resume Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s office said Thursday. Russia and Ukraine are both major global wheat suppliers, but Moscow’s Feb. 24 invasion of its neighbour has sent food prices soaring […] Read more

As Ukraine grain deal emerges, U.S. aims to ease concerns over Russia sanctions
Washington | Reuters –– The United States on Thursday sought to facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports by reassuring banks, shipping and insurance companies that such transactions would not breach Washington’s sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Enabling those Russian exports is a key part of attempts by the United Nations and Turkish […] Read more

Ukraine grain exports deal to be signed next week, Turkey says
Istanbul/United Nations | Reuters –– Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations are due to sign a deal next week aimed at resuming Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports, but U.N. chief Antonio Guterres warned there was still “a long way to go” before there would be peace talks to end the war. Turkish defence minister […] Read more

Turkey says Ukraine grain ships could avoid mines
Russia offers safe passage
Ankara/United Nations | Reuters — Russia on Wednesday said it has offered “safe passage” for Ukraine grain shipments from Black Sea ports but is not responsible for establishing the corridors and Turkey suggested that ships could be guided around sea mines. Ukrainian grain shipments have stalled since Russia’s invasion and ports blockade, stoking global prices […] Read more

Biden touts grain silos on Ukraine border to help exports
Kyiv wants ports open
Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that temporary silos would be built along the border with Ukraine in a bid to help export more grain and address a growing global food crisis. Since the Russian invasion and blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports, grain shipments have stalled and more than 20 million tonnes […] Read more

U.N. aid chief in Moscow to discuss Ukraine grain exports
Russia says will guarantee grain vessels' safety
Reuters — U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths is in Moscow on Thursday and Friday to discuss clearing the way for exports of grain and other food from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, a U.N. spokesperson said. Griffiths will meet Russian officials days after another senior U.N. official, Rebecca Grynspan, had “constructive” talks in Moscow with Russian […] Read more