• The UN has been in talks with Moscow, Kyiv and Ankara
• how to open up the Black Sea to commercial cargo ships to transport grain to global markets.
• Russia has asked for the lifting of economic sanctions in exchange for authorising the exports of grains and fertiliser.

UNITED NATIONS – US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged Russia on Thursday to quickly open Ukraine’s ports, allowing millions of tonnes of grain to be exported.

“They should open up those ports right away, and they should end this conflict,” Vilsack told reporters at the United Nations.

“This is a serious matter; food should not be used as a weapon,” he stated.
For weeks, the UN has been in talks with Moscow, Kyiv, and Ankara about how to open up the Black Sea to commercial cargo ships to transport grain to global markets, where the Russian navy has erected a blockade around Ukraine.

A deal like this would also allow Russian fertiliser, which is currently barred by sanctions, to re-enter the global market.

With grain prices skyrocketing globally and key importers in the Middle East and Africa suffering supply shortages, Moscow has asked for the lifting of economic sanctions in exchange for authorising the exports.

US and European sanctions, according to Vilsack, do not apply to grains and fertilisers.

Vilsack expressed hope that Russia would “take this thing seriously and that they’re not just doing this to create an image” in the ongoing talks on the matter.

He encouraged Moscow to “ensure that they are negotiating on the reopening of the ports in good faith and that they do it swiftly.” Because there is a pressing need.”

According to Vilsack, the United States proposed building silos in Poland to accept Ukrainian grain in order to lessen the risk of rotting before the grain could be shipped to markets.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that Ankara is prepared to convene a four-way meeting with the UN, Russia, and Ukraine to manage grain exports through the Black Sea.

Safe routes for grain shipments from Ukraine could be built under the idea, he claimed, without the need for demining in the Black Sea.

“There will be a four-partite summit in Istanbul if Russia responds favourably,” Cavusoglu said.

Moscow remained silent for the time being.