Ukraine expects talks on Black Sea grain deal to continue - ambassador to Turkey

MOSCOW. May 17 (Interfax) - Ukraine expects that talks on extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative would take place in an online format within the next few days, Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasily Bodnar said.

"Negotiations via the UN's mediation are underway. We expect there'll be negotiations in an online format within the next few days," Ukrainian media quoted Bodnar as saying during a national TV marathon.

He said he expected that a solution would be found and exports of Ukrainian grain would be continued.

Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that consultations on extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative would be held at the technical level before its expiration on May 18.

Representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the UN met for negotiations on extending the grain deal in Istanbul last week.

The UN, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine concluded the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul on July 22, 2022 to open a corridor for grain exports from the Ukrainian ports of Chernomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny. The initiative was originally concluded for 120 days and has been extended twice, the last time on March 18.