Long road to Russia, Ukraine grain export deal

Adeze Ojukwu

Last Friday, an unprecedented agreement on the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports, through the Black Sea, was signed by Kyiv and Moscow.

Since February, grain exports, from Ukriane have been blocked by Russia. Therefore, this proposition marks, the first major deal, between the two warring nations.

It has boosted hopes, of an imminent end of global food security crisis, particularly in Africa and Asia.

Specifically, “the historic initiative, allows for significant volumes of commercial food exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.”

But it took a long and tedious way, to get to this point, largely due to efforts by the United Nations(UN) and Turkey.

Several world leaders have hailed the plan for its tremendous prospects for both countries and the world.

United States(US) said “we welcome the announcement of this agreement in principle.” State Department spokesman, Ned Price said "we are focusing on holding Russia accountable for implementing this agreement and for enabling Ukrainian grain to get to world markets."

The EU called it a "critical step forward in efforts to overcome the global food insecurity, caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine.” However it noted that its success "will depend on the swift and good faith implementation of today’s agreement."

Speaking, at the ceremony on Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who brokered this deal, with Turkish president, Recep Erdogan, described it as “a beacon of hope”

Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea,” the UN chief said, while speaking prior to the signing. “A beacon of hope – a beacon of possibility – a beacon of relief -- in a world that needs it more than ever.”

Mr. Guterres thanked President Erdogan and his government for facilitating the talks, as well as Russian and Ukrainian representatives for putting aside their differences in the common interests of humanity.

Recall that last
April, the Secretary-General met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to propose a plan.

That meeting marked the beginning of this accord. Since then, UN officials had continued to work, every day,” he noted.

Full text of the statement reads:
“Two UN Task Forces were established in parallel on the talks - one focused on the shipment of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, which was led by UN humanitarian affairs chief, Martin Griffiths, and the other on facilitating access of Russian food and fertilizers, headed by Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD).”

“The question has not been what is good for one side or the other. The focus has been on what matters most for the people of our world. And let there be no doubt – this is an agreement for the world.”

“Ukraine is among the world’s leading grain exporters, supplying more than 45 million tonnes annually to the global market, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).”

“The Russian invasion, which began on 24 February, has sparked record food and fuel prices, as well as supply chain issues, with mountains of grain stocks stuck in silos.”

“In addition to stabilizing global food prices, the agreement will bring relief for developing countries on the edge of bankruptcy and the most vulnerable people on the edge of famine.”

“Since the war started, I have been highlighting that there is no solution to the global food crisis, without ensuring full global access to Ukraine’s food products and Russian food and fertilizer.”

“A Joint Coordination Centre to monitor implementation will be hosted in Istanbul and will include representatives from Ukraine, Russia and Türkiye.”

“Inspection teams will monitor the onloading of grain at the three ports. Ukrainian pilot vessels will guide the ships through the Black Sea, which is mined, after which they will head out through the Bosphorus Strait along an agreed corridor. Ships going into the ports also will be inspected.”

“The beacon of hope on the Black Sea is shining bright today, thanks to the collective efforts of so many. In these trying and turbulent times for the region and our globe, let that beacon guide the way towards easing human suffering and securing peace.”

No doubt “this is an unprecedented agreement between two parties engaged in bloody conflict. But that conflict continues. People are dying every day as the fighting rages.”

Therefore this landmark victory, is expected to be the threshold for peace. This vicious war, has destroyed thousands of lives and livelihoods, sparking the worst refugee and humanitarian crises in Europe.


Since the war started, over nine million refugees have reportedly, left Ukraine, while an estimated eight million people had been displaced within the country.” More efforts should, therefore, be made to end the bloodbath.