Black Sea Grain Deal Extended for at Least 60 days

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain pact was renewed on Saturday for at least 60 days.

This came after Russia warned any further extension beyond mid-May would depend on the removal of some Western sanctions.

The pact was inked by Russia and Ukraine by the United Nations and Turkey in July and renewed for a further 120 days in November.

The pact aimed to combat a global food crisis that was fueled in part by Russia's Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine and Black Sea blockade.

In a statement, the United Nations and Turkey said on Saturday that the deal had been extended, but did not specify for how long. Ukraine said it had been extended for 120 days. But Russia's cooperation is needed and Moscow only agreed to renew the pact for 60 days.

"The Black Sea Grain Initiative, alongside the Memorandum of Understanding on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to the world markets, are critical for global food security, especially for developing countries."