A Russian official said the agreement allowing Ukraine to export grain through its ports in the Black Sea was extended by 60 days. However, Kiev said the deadline will be 120 days long. Turkey, on the other year, said negotiations to maintain the grain corridor are still ongoing.

According to Reuters news agency, since Russia and Ukraine signed the "Black Sea Grain Initiative, supported by the United Nations (UN) in Turkey on July 22, millions of tons of grain and other food products have been exported from Ukrainian ports.

Russia suggested on Monday (13) allow the agreement to be renewed, but by half the previous deadline, while the United Nations promised to do everything possible to ensure that the integrity of the agreement remains intact. "In fact, the agreement was extended for 60 days," Russian news agency Tass reported, citing Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko.

Another news agency also quoted Grushko as saying that the deal was extended. According to Ria, Grushko quoted another deputy foreign minister, Sergei Vershinin, confirming the extension. U.N. officials did not immediately comment on the extension of the so-called grain corridor.

Versions of Turkey and Ukraine on the grain corridor

However, it was not immediately clear how the agreement could be extended by half of the previous renewal. Turkey says for now that negotiations are continuing. Meanwhile, Ukraine warns that it will comply with the terms of the previously agreed agreement.

"We will follow the agreement strictly," a senior Ukrainian government official told Reuters. The employee wouldn't identify himself.

In a statement saying negotiations are ongoing, the Turkish Defense Ministry quoted Russia as agreeing to support a 60-day extension to the agreement, negotiated between Moscow and Kiev in July by Turkey and the United Nations.

Russia said that while the West did not explicitly target the country's agricultural exports, sanctions on its payments, logistics and insurance industries have created a barrier to exporting its grains and fertilizers.

Source: Canal Rural