And when will the documents signed in Istanbul come into effect
The Russian side expects that responsible implementation of the measures provided for by the agreements signed in Istanbul will become a practical contribution to solving the problems of world food security. This was announced on July 22 by the head of the Russian Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu. The meetings in Turkey resulted in two documents: a memorandum of cooperation between Russia and the UN on facilitating the supply of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to world markets, as well as an agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports. Moreover, the basis of the last document is the algorithm proposed by Russia. Commercial vessels that will follow the corridor in the Black Sea will be inspected, the transport of weapons on them is prohibited. Security in the territorial waters of Ukraine should be provided by Kiev. According to the experts interviewed by Izvestia, the agreement on grain is of great importance for the whole world. How agreements were signed between Russia and Ukraine and when the first grain ships will go — in the material of Izvestia.
Alternately and mirrored
At about 5 p.m. Moscow time, the Russian Defense Ministry reported: the head of the department, Sergei Shoigu, met with the UN Secretary General. At the same time, Antonio Guterres admitted that he was glad to see Sergei Shoigu, and noted the extensive experience of the head of the Russian military department in peacekeeping operations, in particular, in Transcaucasia.
— I have looked at the document that you have brought, and I am ready to sign it now. It is very important for us to resolve the issue of exporting Russian grain to world markets," the UN Secretary General said.
We are talking about a memorandum of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the UN on facilitating the supply of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to world markets. Its validity period will be three years. On the Russian side, the document was signed by the first Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov. After the meeting, Sergei Shoigu made an official statement.
Signing of an agreement on unblocking grain exports from Ukraine. In the photo: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu
Image Source: Photo: TASS/EPA
"Two documents aimed at solving the problems of food and fertilizer supplies to world markets were signed in Istanbul today," the head of the Russian Defense Ministry said. — I want to emphasize that these documents are interrelated and represent a single package. The first document — the memorandum — involves the involvement of the UN to lift various restrictions on the export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to world markets. The second document defines the algorithm for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products from the Black Sea ports controlled by Ukraine.
The latter is based on the algorithm proposed by Russia, which provides, among other things, a maritime humanitarian corridor through which commercial vessels can safely proceed to the Black Sea ports controlled by Ukraine and back.
Sergei Shoigu also confirmed that in accordance with the agreement signed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and UN representatives, a joint quadrilateral coordination center is being created in Istanbul. Its representatives will organize events for the inspection of vessels involved in the export of Ukrainian agricultural products. This is necessary to prevent the passage of weapons and ammunition to Kiev, as well as to exclude any provocations. Moreover, the inspection will be carried out both at the exit and at the entrance to the Black Sea. Security in the territorial waters of Ukraine, including mine action, should be provided by Kiev.
The final meeting, at which the agreements were signed, did not come as a surprise, since Ankara had already announced it the day before. Russia and Turkey were represented by the heads of military departments, and Ukraine was represented by the Minister of Infrastructure. The parties signed the document alternately and mirrored. First, Ukraine did it with Turkey and the UN. Russia signed a similar document with Ankara and the United Nations.
Eliminate obstacles
The head of the Russian Defense Ministry also stressed that the signing of these documents was made possible thanks to the active mediation role of Turkey and the UN.
"We hope that responsible implementation of the measures stipulated in the documents will become a practical contribution to solving the problems of world food security," Sergei Shoigu said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also commented on the results of the meeting in Istanbul. He said that through the efforts of the Russian delegation, it was possible to preserve the complex, depoliticized nature of the "package" agreement, "thereby ensuring the maximum possible movement towards developing food—importing countries."
Signing of an agreement on unblocking grain exports from Ukraine
Image source: Photo: REUTERS
Russia will continue to be faithful to its obligations in this area, the chief of Russian diplomacy stressed, adding that "the use of food by the United States and its allies in the interests of geopolitical adventures is unacceptable and inhumane."
As Sergey Lavrov explained, the main task of the memorandum is to ensure transparent and unhindered supplies of Russian food and fertilizers to world markets, including raw materials for their production. In general, the Foreign Minister noted that it is about removing the barriers that the US and the EU have created in the areas of finance, insurance and logistics. Also, the purpose of the document is to achieve specific exceptions in the actions of restrictive measures imposed against our country.
The grain agreement is of great importance for the whole world, and not only for Russia and Ukraine, says Yunus Emre Kanat, head of the Turkish SAGEDER Center for Strategic Studies.
Towards a political dialogue
Focusing on the progress in the grain issue, Russia and Ukraine can move further forward already along the line of political dialogue, the expert believes. In his opinion, it is possible that Turkey will propose to hold a second summit in Antalya at the level of the Foreign Ministers of Russia and Ukraine — the first was held on March 9-10.
— Turkey can also organize negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky. Recep Tayyip Erdogan is currently the leader who has the highest level of communication and coordination with both sides. This was accepted by all European leaders, as well as US President Joe Biden," Yunus Emre Kanat said.
At the same time, not all experts see prerequisites for the return of the Russian Federation and Ukraine to political negotiations that stopped in April.
— Yes, there was and is skepticism. Even UN representatives said that the issue of grain export is being resolved, but they do not see any progress between Russia and Ukraine in terms of a truce. But, as it seems to me, this movement of the two sides towards each other in grain issues should still be evaluated positively," Yashar Niyazbayev, a journalist, author of the Telegram channel "Agenda of Turkey", told Izvestia.
Photo: REUTERS
Image source: iz.ru
Ankara's interest in mediation is primarily related to the country's attempt to improve its reputation in the international arena, he explained.
— Turkey turned out to be an ideal mediator, since it is a country that has a dialogue with both [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, and at the same time Turkey is a NATO country. Ankara was able to find common ground on controversial issues between Ukraine and Russia, for Turkey this is also a victory — political, humanitarian, reputational," the expert said.
According to the UN, about 4.5 million tons of products are waiting to be shipped in Ukraine. However, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stated earlier about 20 million tons of blocked grain, and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky — about 25 million tons. During these few months, negotiations on grain have been held at different levels repeatedly. Sergey Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed the creation of a special corridor in Ankara in June. Then negotiations between the military delegations of Turkey and Russia on unblocking Ukrainian exports took place in Moscow. According to the UN statement, the full-fledged movement of ships to and from Ukrainian ports for the export of food may begin in a couple of weeks.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Lyubov Lezhneva
Elnar Baynazarov
