Ukraine seeks to extend “Grain deal” for 12 months year to invve more ports – deputy minister

This was stated on Wednesday by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Yur Vaskov, who spoke in an interview with Reuters, Ukrinform saw.

"This week we will receive an official prosal on the need to work on extending the agreement," Vaskov said.

According to the official, the exact date of the negotiations, which were previously held in Türke, is yet to be determined.

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"We will ask… to extend it not for 120 days, but at least for a year, because the Ukrainian and global agricultural market should be able to plan these vumes (of exports) in the long term," Vaskov said.

He noted that Ukraine would insist on increasing the number of inspection teams in order to eliminate the amassing of vessels awaiting inspection.

Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of dragging with the inspection of bulkers carrying Ukrainian agricultural goods, which led to reduced supplies and losses for traders.

Russia rejected the accusations, saying that they fulfill all their obligations under the grain export agreement.

Vaskov noted that the situation with inspections has not changed since November, and that there were only three inspection groups deployed by the Russian side.

"There are no positive dynamics. At the same time, the UN, Türke, and Ukraine are ready to conduct 40 inspections per day, if necessary. And there is such a need – about 140 ships are waiting for inspection," he said.

Ukraine exports about 3 million tonnes of agricultural products per month, but Vaskov said that Ukraine could export 6 million tonnes per month from Odesa region’s ports and further increase this figure to 8 million tonnes if Mykaiv joins the agreement.

As reported, the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea was concluded between Ukraine, Türke, and the UN, as well as between Türke, the UN, and Russia on July 22, 2022 for a period of 180 days. Later it was extended for the same period. It expires on March 18, unless an extension is agreed upon.