Zelensky notes progress at Istanbul talks on Ukrainian grain transportation

MOSCOW. July 14 (Interfax) - Some progress has been made at the talks on the resumption of Ukrainian food exports via the Black Sea, which are hosted by Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"The Ukrainian delegation told me that some progress had been made. We will discuss details with the UN secretary general in the coming days," Zelensky said in a video address on Wednesday evening.

"We really put a lot of effort in resuming food supply to the global market. I am grateful to the United Nations and Turkey for their work," Zelensky said.

In turn, chief of staff of the Ukrainian presidential office Andriy Yermak said on Telegram that Ukraine had proposed to formulate a basic algorithm for navigation in the Black Sea at the negotiations.

"That will allow the provision of Ukrainian grain exports," Yermak said. "At the end of the meeting, the sides agreed to set up a joint coordination center under the UN aegis" in Istanbul, he said, adding that the center "will be tasked with overall monitoring and coordination of the safe navigation in the Black Sea."

Representatives of Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations agreed at the talks on Ukrainian grain exports to set up a coordination center in Istanbul. Turkish media said that the sides had reached consent on a system of joint grain control in ports.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said earlier that the Russian delegation to the Istanbul talks presented a package of proposals on the soonest resolution of the problem with food exports from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for International Organizations Pyotr Ilyichev told Interfax that Moscow and Ankara were in regular dialogue with regard to Ukrainian grain transportation.

Moscow denied the allegations of blocking Ukrainian ships loaded with grain and provoking a global food crisis.