It will take 3-5 weeks to set up grain exports from Ukrainian ports – Turkey

UkrAgroConsult

Turkey is awaiting a decision in the coming days on the mechanism for exporting grain and other goods from Ukraine’s currently blocked sea ports, but even after an agreement is reached, it will take about five weeks for the corridor to actually open. The speaker of the President of Turkey Ibrahim Kalin said this, Anadolu reports.

“Even if we agree on the main issues, it will probably take another 3-5 weeks to start the operation. Because when it comes to demining, preparing the corridor and sending ships, time works against us. That is why we tell all our colleagues and interlocutors that the sooner we start, the better,” Kalin said.

According to him, Turkey is conducting intensive diplomatic work to prevent the global food crisis caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine.

He also noted that the Ukrainian side will have to carry out demining work in ports, in particular, in Odessa.

“But there are certain fair expectations of guarantees that Russian ships will not break into these ports,” Kalin said.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said that Ukraine was ready to create the necessary conditions for the resumption of exports from the port of Odessa and is looking for solutions with the UN and partners so that Russia could not use it to attack.

Ukrainian grain can be delivered to world markets thanks to the mechanism of the command center, which is planned to be established in Istanbul. Thus, under the auspices of the UN, a roadmap was prepared to resolve the global food crisis. Its details will be discussed in the coming days at a meeting with representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations.

Due to the blockade of Ukrainian seaports by Russia, about 20 million tons of grain remain blocked in Ukraine.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops are shelling and destroying key infrastructure, massively shelling residential areas of Ukrainian cities and towns using artillery, multiple rocket launchers and ballistic missiles.

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the Russian fleet entered at least eight civilian ships in the Azov and Black Seas and in the Bug estuary. Seaports are also under fire. The Russians call it an “anti-terrorist operation.”

Tags: Ukraine, Turkey, export, grain