2 Mar 2023 14:43

Blinken calls on G20 countries to speak up for extending Istanbul grain deal

BRUSSELS. March 2 (Interfax) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, addressing a meeting of the G20 foreign ministers on Thursday, called on the G20 countries to speak up in favor of extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

"It is imperative the G20 speak up on behalf of extending and expanding the grain initiative to strengthen food security for the most vulnerable," Western media quoted Blinken as saying.

The United Nations, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine signed documents in Istanbul on July 22, 2022 to export grain from three ports in Ukrainian territory - Chernomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny. It was reported in late February that the amount of Ukrainian food exports as part of the grain deal stood at over 22 million tonnes.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative expires on March 18, 2023.