Ukraine war: Black Sea grain deal in peril as deadline looms

Over the course of the last year, the Black Sea Grain Initiative has enabled the export in cargo of more than 32 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain

On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was optimistic about the prospects of the deal being renewed again.

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A deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations to ensure the safe export of grain from Ukrainian ports will expire on July 17. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:42am, 17 Jul 2023Updated: 1:41pm, 17 Jul 2023

The clock was ticking down on Monday on the deal that allows Ukraine to export its grain via the Black Sea, with the agreement set to expire at midnight Istanbul time (2100 GMT).

There was no word from talks in Istanbul, where Turkish and UN officials are trying to persuade Russia to agree another extension of the deal first signed there in July 2022.

Over the course of the last year, the Black Sea Grain Initiative has enabled the export in cargo of more than 32 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain.

But that traffic has come to a halt because of Russia’s refusal so far to renew the deal.

Concerns are growing that Russia will not extend a deal that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to parts of the world struggling with hunger. Photo: AP

“The applications have not been approved by all parties,” said a statement from the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) that oversees the agreement. “No new ships have been approved to participate since 27 June.”

The last cargo ship cleared by the signatories to the deal – Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations – Turkish bulk carrier TQ Samsun, was headed across the Black Sea from the Ukrainian port of Odesa towards Istanbul, the Marine Traffic website showed late on Sunday.