U.S. to welcome Russia-Ukraine grain deal - State Dept

WASHINGTON. July 22 (Interfax) - The United States supports the signing of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to settle the problem of Ukrainian grain exports, which is expected to take place in Istanbul on Friday, United States Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said.

"Well, we would welcome any such agreement. We applaud the hard work of the UN secretary-general. We applaud the diligent work of our Turkish allies," Price said at a press briefing on Thursday.

The implementation of the deal, including by Russia, would have to be monitored, he said.

The Anadolu Agency reported earlier on Thursday that Russia and Ukraine were to sign a grain deal in Istanbul on July 22. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are expected to attend the signing ceremony.

The parties to four-sided negotiations concerning exports of Ukrainian grain between Russia, Turkey, the UN, and Ukraine agreed last week to jointly monitor grain at ports and set up a coordination center in Istanbul.