Ukrainian delegation arrives in Istanbul for talks on grain exports

MOSCOW. July 22 (Interfax) - Ukraine's delegation led by Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov has arrived in Istanbul for negotiations on resuming grain exports.

The Ukrainian delegation has met with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres during the visit, Ukrainian media outlets quoted the Infrastructure Ministry as saying on social media. The focus of the dialogue is on the UN's initiative for unblocking Ukrainian seaports to resume food exports and security guarantees for vessels.

"The secretary general expressed his support in favor of unblocking the Ukrainian ports and provided assurance that security is the unconditional priority of the UN. The organization, for its part, will do all it can to ensure that all participants in the talks abide by this principle," the ministry said.

According to U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price, the United States also will welcome the signing in Istanbul on Friday of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to allow grain exports.

Meanwhile, according to Ukrainian media outlets, advisor to the head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Office Mykhailo Podolyak said on social media that Ukraine will sign an agreement with Turkey and the UN.

"As regards the Istanbul treaty on grain exports, preliminary, Ukraine won't sign any documents with the Russian Federation. We'll sign a treaty with Turkey and the UN and will assume obligations before them. The Russian Federation will sign a mirror treaty with Turkey and the UN," Podolyak said.