According to Turkey, a deal has been reached with Russia that will let Ukraine begin grain exports over the Black Sea.
Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will sign it on Friday in Istanbul.
Millions are at risk of going hungry due to the global shortage of Ukrainian grain since Russia’s invasion on February 24.
The agreement to open Ukraine’s ports is essential because the invasion caused food prices to skyrocket. In Odesa, there are 20 million tonnes of grain locked in silos.
A paper “may be signed” at the Friday meeting of UN-led negotiations to resume grain exports, according to the foreign ministry of Ukraine.
However, a Ukrainian MP who was close to the negotiations expressed skepticism about the agreement. The US State Department praised the UN-mediated agreement but stated that it was concentrating on keeping Russia responsible for carrying it through.
