Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy will meet António Guterres again this Wednesday (Ukrainian Presidential News Service/REUTERS/File)

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterresarrived this Wednesday morning at Kyivthe Ukrainian capital, where he plans to meet the president, Volodimir Zelenskyto discuss the renewal of the country’s grain export agreement.

“The General Secretary is in kyiv. Later, he will meet with Volodimir Zelensky to discuss the progress of the Grain Initiative ofthe Black Sea in all its aspects, as well as other relevant matters,” Guterres’ spokesperson’s office said in a post on Twitter.

This is Guterres’ third visit to the country since Russia launched its military offensive a little over a year ago. Once the trip is complete on Thursday, it will return to new York.

Ukrainian sources said on Tuesday that negotiations to expand the pact had already started, but not directly with Russia. Ukraine It has previously expressed its willingness to extend the agreement for at least one year to ensure stability for exporters and importers and to achieve the inclusion of the port of the city of Mikolaevin the south of the country.

A truck at a grain terminal during the barley harvest in Ukraine. REUTERS/Igor Tkachenko
A truck at a grain terminal during the barley harvest in Ukraine. REUTERS/Igor Tkachenko

The agreement concluded in July 2022 between Moscow and Kyiv to export grain is only in effect until March 18, as established in the last extension, but the HIM stresses the need to extend it again to ensure global food security.

The United Nations estimates that it has already enabled the export from three Ukrainian ports of some 23 million tonnes of goods, with an almost constant flow of entries and exits. The agreement guarantees the safety of the vessels regardless of ongoing fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

The UN secretary general arrived in the Ukrainian capital last night and on his third visit to the country since the start of the war, Guterres, 73, will meet Zelensky to negotiate the continuation of the export deal for cereals.

Ukraine’s grain export contract through the Russian-controlled Black Sea expires on March 18 and the UN is pushing for a further extension of the deal, according to local Ukrainian agencies.

The initiative was launched last July and was extended in November, with the mediation of the United Nations and Turkey.

(With information from Europa Press and EFE)

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