Talks has resumed between the United Nations and Russia, with a week to go until an agreement allowing the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports expires.
A UN spokesperson described the talks in Geneva on Friday as “informal.”
The agreement was reached in July, mediated by the UN and Turkey, and is valid until November 19.
One of the aims was to enable the safe passage of cargo ships through the Black Sea, which Russia had prevented after the start of its attack on Ukraine.
Ukraine is one of the world’s most important grain exporters.
At the same time, Russian exports of grain and fertilizers are to be facilitated.
Russia holds that this does not work.
Western sanctions against Russia are not aimed directly at these exports.
A UN spokesperson said on Thursday in New York that it was also about facilitating Russian food and fertilizer exports.
Boubaker Benbelhassen, director of the markets and trade department at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has warned that, if the agreement is not extended, there will be serious consequences.
Then prices are likely to rise again and supplies to many countries that are dependent on Ukrainian supplies are likely to falter, he said.
