ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The United Nations is working with the United States and the European Union to overcome obstacles to the reach of global markets for Russian food and fertilizer, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday. said there is.
Guterres said more than 650,000 tons of grain and other food have already been exported under a UN-brokered deal agreed in Turkey last month to resume Ukraine’s grain exports since Russia’s invasion in February. Said there was
“Another part of this package deal is unhindered access to the global market for sanctions-free Russian food and fertilizers,” Guterres said in Istanbul, visiting the Coordinating Center that oversees exports.
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The countries that imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine have clarified that the measures do not apply to food and fertilizers, but added that they still had a “chilling effect” on exports.
“There are some transport-related obstacles and difficulties that we have to overcome, ranging from insurance to finance,” Guterres said at a press conference with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.
Guterres said the United Nations would work with Washington and the European Union to remove these obstacles.
“Getting more food and fertilizer from Ukraine and Russia is essential to further calm commodity markets and lower prices for consumers,” he said.
Russia and Ukraine accounted for about a third of world wheat exports until Russia invaded on February 24. Moscow calls this a special military operation. Russia is also a major exporter of fertilizers.
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Reported by Ezgi Erkoyun. Written by Dominic Evans.Editing by David Clarke and Gareth Jones
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