According to the news media Tass, Russia says the agreement on ensuring grain exports via the Black Sea will be extended by 60 days.

However, Ukraine’s government is sticking to the original agreement that states extensions are to be done in 120-day increments.

”We will adhere to the very letter of the agreement,” says a Ukrainian government official.

The grain agreement was made last summer with the United Nations and Türkiye as brokers. It was done after global grain and bread prices skyrocketed, with dire consequences for the world’s poor in particular.

Ukraine and Russia are both among the world’s leading grain exporters, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year made it a dangerous affair to sail grain ships through the Back Sea.

It is Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Grushko, who announced the extension of the grain agreement Tuesday morning.

”Yes, of course, the agreement was extended. It was agreed upon that it is extended by 60 days,” he tells Tass.

The initial agreement lasted 120 days and was extended by the same amount in November. It expires on March 18. 

Thus, Ukraine demands that the new extension also lasts 120 days.

English edit: Christian Radich Hoffman