Ukraine, Russia grain talks progress

Bloomberg

Negotiations over unblocking millions of tons of Ukraine’s grain exports were constructive, according to Ukraine, the United Nations, Turkey and Russia, an initial step in bolstering global food supplies and aiding the country’s beleaguered farm sector.
The talks were held in Turkey with representatives from the countries and the UN. The sides — who agreed on the “main technical principles,” including setting up a monitoring unit in Istanbul — are expected to meet again next week, Turkey’s defense minister said in a statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his daily address to the nation on Wednesday that the country’s delegation had reported some progress, with Ukraine expected to agree on details with the UN “in coming days.” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that some elements of possible agreements had been defined, according to Interfax.
Crop shipments from Ukraine — one of the world’s biggest wheat, corn and vegetable-oil exporters — have been severely constrained as Russia’s invasion blocks its Black Sea ports. That sent global food prices to record levels earlier this year and raised worries about rising hunger.
Talks over unblocking the ports have been pressing on for months already, and the situation is getting worse. Ukraine is already sitting on at least 22 million tons of grains ready for export while starting the new harvest last month.