- Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest exporters of wheat and other grain.
- Its shipments have been blocked by Russian warships and mines that Kyiv has laid across the Black Sea.
- Ukraine has recaptured Snake Island in Black Sea allowing it to resume grain shipments to Romania.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations were due to meet with UN diplomats in Istanbul; on Wednesday in a bid to break a months-long impasse over stalled grain deliveries across the Black Sea.
The four-way meeting with Turkish officials comes as food prices soar around the world due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest exporters of wheat and other grain.
But its shipments have been blocked by Russian warships and mines that Kyiv has laid across the Black Sea.
NATO member Turkey — on good terms with both Russia and Ukraine — has spearheaded efforts to resume the grain deliveries.
Turkish officials say they have 20 merchant ships waiting in the Black Sea; that could be loaded quickly with Ukrainian grain.
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Tuesday that the meeting would involve; the three countries’ military delegations and a team from the United Nations.
“Military delegations from the Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian defence ministries; and a delegation of the United Nations, will hold talks tomorrow in Istanbul; on the safe shipment to international markets of grain waiting in Ukrainian ports,” Akar said.
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