TOPSHOT - A crew member prepares a grain analysis for a control made by members of the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) onboard the Barbados-flagged ship "Nord Vind" coming from Ukraine loaded with grain and anchored in Istanbul, on October 11, 2022. - The grain deal between Russia and Ukraine establishing safe corridors along which Ukrainian ships can come in and out of three designated Black Sea ports in and around Odessa creates a traffic jam in Istanbul. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Yasin AKGUL has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [for a control made by members of the Joint Coordination Center (JCC)] instead of [as part of a UN inspection of]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was among a number of world leaders that welcomed an agreement to extend the Black Sea grain deal on Thursday, after Moscow had threatened to pull out sparking concerns for global food supplies.
“I welcome the agreement by all parties to continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative to facilitate the safe navigation of export of grain, foodstuffs and fertilizers from Ukraine,” Guterres said in a statement on Twitter. “The initiative demonstrates the importance of discreet diplomacy in finding multilateral solutions.”
The grain deal was brokered in July by the United Nations and Turkey to allow Ukraine to resume the export of grain and other agricultural products after Russia began a full-scale assault on the country in February. It was due to expire on November 19.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter that the agreement on the extension had been reached after Turkey hosted discussions between the UN, Russia and Ukraine.
Erdogan said that more than 11 million tonnes of grain and other products had been shipped from Ukrainian ports so far under the deal.
