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☆ Russia says Black Sea grain deal will be extended automatically if no objections
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 14 (Reuters) - A deal allowing the safe export of grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports will be extended automatically after it expires on March 18 if there are no objections from the involved parties, Russia's TASS state news agency reported on Tuesday. Citing an unnamed source familiar with the details of the negotiations around the agreement, TASS reported that so far none of the involved sides had indicated a withdrawal. "If the parties have no objections, the deal will continue after March 18," TASS quoted the source as saying. The prices of corn and wheat have been under pressure on hopes of a deal renewal . Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Russia suggests renewing Black Sea grain deal for shorter term
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Black Sea grain initiative, brokered between Russia and Ukraine by the United Nations and Turkey last July, aimed to prevent a global food crisis by allowing Ukrainian grain blockaded by Russia's invasion to be safely exported from three Ukrainian ports. Russia, he said, "does not object to another extension of the 'Black Sea Initiative' after its second term expiration on March 18, but only for 60 days." 'CRITICAL MOMENT'The United Nations said it noted the Russian position and that it remained "fully committed to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, as well as to efforts to facilitate the export of Russian food and fertilizer." "The UN Secretary-General has confirmed that the UN will do everything possible to preserve the integrity of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and ensure its continuity," it said in a statement. "To extend it for 60 days, you have to amend the deal."

☆ Talks underway on Black Sea grain deal extension in Geneva
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GENEVA, March 13 (Reuters) - Negotiations began on Monday between U.N. officials and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin on a possible extension to a deal allowing the safe export of grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports, the Russian diplomatic mission in Geneva said. The deal, which was extended for 120 days in November, is up for renewal on March 18. Two sources involved with the talks said they were initially scheduled to last just one day but could be extended as needed. "Wheat and corn markets are weaker today as the talks start about extending the safe shipping agreement for Ukraine’s exports," said Matt Ammermann, StoneX commodity risk manager. "As such a large wheat and corn exporter, Ukraine’s supplies are vital to world markets."

☆ Ukraine's economy stabilizes after shock of war
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

The economy shrank by a third last year, the largest fall since Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine's largest steel mill, said its production was currently at about 25% of pre-war levels amid electricity blackouts. Ukraine's central bank predicts GDP will grow by 0.3% this year, while the economy ministry forecasts 3.2% growth. The agreement saved Ukraine's agriculture, which accounted for about 12% of GDP and some 40% of overall exports before the war. The steel sector, a key pillar of the economy, is among the hardest hit.

☆ Insurers count the cost of ships snagged in Ukraine crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Jonathan Saul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Curtailed shipments from major grain exporter Ukraine played a role in the resulting global food crisis. According to shipping and insurance industry assessments, there are still between 40 and 60 ships stranded, and ship owners can claim a total loss for vessels stuck for a year from their insurers. A senior industry source said exposure for the ships currently stuck was estimated at $500 million. "The liabilities for those people who have ships stuck there, to get those ships out - it’s a real headache." "There is going to be some form of constructive agreement I suspect, but then that owner will have to buy war risk insurance all over again."

☆ Turkey's devastating earthquake comes at a critical time for the country's future
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

One major emerging markets guru, Mark Mobius of Mobius Capital Partners LLP, remains bullish despite the earthquake disaster and economic problems. "When it comes to investing in Turkey, we still believe it's a viable place to invest," Mobius said. Mobius did note the glaring issue of Turkey's earthquake preparation, which may soon come to haunt Erdogan's election chances. NATO and Turkey's powerful role on the global stageInternationally, Turkey's future affects the war in Ukraine, given Erdogan's role as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.

☆ UNESCO grants Odesa's historic centre World Heritage in Danger status
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A man walks next to the Opera Theatre building in the city centre, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine January 25, 2023. REUTERS/Serhii SmolientsevPARIS, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The United Nations' cultural agency, UNESCO, said on Wednesday that it had designated the historic centre of Odesa, a strategic port city on Ukraine's Black Sea coast, a World Heritage in Danger site. The status, awarded by a UNESCO panel meeting in Paris, is designed to help protect Odesa’s cultural heritage, which has been under threat since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and enable access to financial and technical international aid. Although the city suffered significant damage in World War Two, its famed central grid square of low-rise 19th century buildings survived mostly intact. Odesa was one of Ukraine’s main tourist hubs before Russia’s invasion.

However the talks aim to remove remaining obstacles in the initiative extended last week and ease global food shortages by unblocking Ukrainian and Russian exports, they added. Putin said on Wednesday that Russian officials would work to unblock Russian fertilisers stuck in European ports and to resume ammonia exports. The export of Russian ammonia would be via an existing pipeline to the Black Sea. Neither Russia nor Ukraine have released official figures on how many prisoners of war they have taken since Russia invaded in February. On Oct. 29, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy said that since March, Russia had freed a total of 1,031 prisoners.

☆ Ukraine minister urges ASEAN to stop Russian 'hunger games'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PHNOM PENH, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Ukraine's foreign minister on Saturday urged Southeast Asian countries to take all measures possible to stop Russia from playing "hunger games" over a Ukrainian Black Sea grain deal, which could expire next week. "I call on all ASEAN members to take every method possible to stop Russia from playing hunger games with the world." The United Nations says more than 10 million tonnes of grain and other food has been exported from Ukraine under the deal. Ukraine is joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and a parallel East Asian Summit for the first time. "Sitting down at a table for a nice picture, we've been there, we've done it, we've tried."

☆ U.N. begins talks with Russia on Black Sea grains deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GENEVA, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Talks between a Russian delegation and senior U.N. officials to address Moscow's grievances about the Black Sea grains export initiative began in Geneva on Friday, a U.N. spokesperson said. The negotiations come just eight days before the deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July is due to be renewed. The accord has helped stave off a global food crisis by allowing the export of food and fertilisers from several of Ukraine's Black Sea ports. Moscow has indicated that it is prepared to quit the deal, which could expire on Nov. 19, if progress is not made on its concerns. It said it was responding to a drone attack on Moscow's fleet in Crimea that it blamed on Ukraine.

☆ Ukraine seeks funds for naval drones to counter Russian missile strikes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Nov 11 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday backed a fundraising campaign to help Ukraine build a fleet of naval drones to protect its cities against Russian missile strikes from the Black Sea. "We must defend the waters of our seas and peaceful cities from Russian missiles launched from ships," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "Naval drones will also help unblock the corridor for civilian ships transporting grain for the world." Russia started blockading Ukraine's Black Sea ports soon after the February invasion, blocking grain exports. "I am sure that millions of people will support this important area of Ukraine's defence," Zelenskiy wrote of the naval drone fundraising campaign.

☆ U.N., Russia to talk Ukraine grain deal on Friday ahead of extension deadline
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The deal allowing the export of food and fertilizers from several of Ukraine's Black Sea ports - brokered by the United Nations and Turkey on July 22 - could expire on Nov. 19 if Russia or Ukraine object to its extension. A key part of the July package deal is also facilitating exports of Russian grain and fertilizer exports. The United Nations has said that Russian grain exports have increased, but that work needed to be done to alleviate a chilling effect of Western sanctions on Russian fertilizer exports. If Russia did so, however, Putin said it would not impede shipments of grain from Ukraine to Turkey. More than 10 million tonnes of grain and other food has been exported from Ukraine under the deal, according to the United Nations.

Feb 24, on Saturday halted its role in the Black Sea deal for an "indefinite term", cutting shipments from one of the world's top grain exporters, because it said it could not "guarantee safety of civilian ships" travelling under the pact after an attack on its Black Sea fleet. During Sunday's session among the grain deal delegations, Russian officials said Moscow will continue the dialogue with the United Nations and the Turkish delegation on pressing issues, the U.N. said in its statement. FALSE PRETEXT'The Russian defence ministry said Ukraine attacked the Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol with 16 drones early and that British navy "specialists" had helped coordinate what it called a terrorist attack. Russia said it repelled the attack but that the ships targeted were involved in ensuring the grain corridor out of Ukraine's Black Sea ports. SHIPS BLOCKEDThe grain deal had restarted shipments from Ukraine, allowing sales on world markets, targeting the pre-war level of 5 million metric tonnes exported from Ukraine each month.

☆ EU urges Russia to revoke Ukraine Black Sea grain deal suspension
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A view shows silos of grain from Odesa Black Sea port, before a shipment of grain as the government of Ukraine awaits signal from UN and Turkey to start grain shipments, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine July 29, 2022. Russia said it had repelled the attack but that the ships targeted were involved in ensuring the grain corridor out of Ukraine's Black Sea ports. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff accused Russia on Saturday of inventing attacks on its own facilities. Kyiv often accuses Russia of using the Black Sea Fleet to fire cruise missiles at Ukrainian civilian targets, a charge supported by some military analysts, who say that makes the fleet a legitimate military target. Zelenskyy called for a strong response from the United Nations and Group of 20 (G-20) major economies to what he called Russia's nonsensical move on the grain deal.

☆ Russia says it recovers drones used in Black Sea fleet attack in Crimea
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Summary This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in UkraineMOSCOW, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Russia's defence ministry on Sunday said it had recovered and analysed the wreckage of drones used to attack ships of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea the day before, finding that the drones were equipped with Canadian-made navigation. The ministry has said Ukraine attacked the Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol with 16 drones early on Saturday, and that British navy "specialists" had helped coordinate what it called a terrorist attack, a claim Britain has denied. Russia said it had repelled the attack but that the ships targeted were involved in ensuring the grain corridor out of Ukraine's Black Sea ports. It said the drones had moved along the "grain corridor" security zone, before changing course to head for Russia's naval base in Sevastopol, the largest city on the Crimean peninsula that Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The ministry said one of the maritime drones appeared to have started from within the security zone of grain corridor itself.

☆ Russia halts Ukraine Black Sea grain exports, citing attack on Crimea
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

in the sea port in Odesa after restarting grain export, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, Ukraine August 19, 2022. Russia said the step, which will cut Ukrainian grain exports from its crucial Black Sea ports, was taken due to the drone attack and the participation of British specialists. 'HUNGER GAMES'Since Russia and Ukraine signed the U.N.-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative in Turkey on July 22, more than 9 million tonnes of corn, wheat, sunflower products, barley, rapeseed and soya have been exported from Ukraine. But ahead of the Nov. 19 expiry of the grain deal, which allows Ukrainian Black Sea grain exports, Russia has repeatedly said that there are serious problems with it. Russia will officially notify U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shortly of its suspension of the Ukraine Black Sea grain deal, Russia's Deputy U.N.

☆ U.N. wants Ukraine, Russia to extend Black Sea grain, fertilizer export deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

It also called for the full implementation of a related agreement to ensure grain and fertilizer from Russia also reaches global markets. Under the July 22 agreement, Ukraine was able to restart its Black Sea grain and fertilizer exports, which had stalled when Russia invaded its neighbor on Feb. 24. The United Nations recently warned there was a backlog of more than 150 ships. Russia has criticized the deal, complaining that its own exports were still hindered and not enough Ukraine grain was reaching countries in need. Moscow could object to extending the pact on Ukraine's exports beyond November.

CHICAGO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Agricultural commodities trader Bunge Ltd (BG.N) on Wednesday raised its full-year earnings outlook after adjusted third-quarter profit topped expectations, sending its shares up more than 5%. "We delivered strong quarterly results against the backdrop of a shifting operating environment," Chief Executive Gregory Heckman said. Rival agribusiness Archer-Daniels-Midland Co on Tuesday reported its strongest ever third-quarter profit and raised its earnings outlook. Bunge lifted its full-year 2022 earnings guidance to $13.50 per share as the profit outlook for its core business segments improved. The refined and specialty oils segment however turned in stronger quarterly earnings.

☆ Ukraine accuses Russia of blocking full implementation of grain deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Oct 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine said seven vessels sailed off from its ports on Sunday carrying grain bound for Asia and Europe, but accused Russia of blocking the full implementation of Black Sea grain deal. "Russia is deliberately blocking the full realisation of the Grain Initiative. The agreement, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July, paved the way for Ukraine to resume grain exports from Black Sea ports that had been shut since Russia invaded. Ethiopia, Yemen and Afghanistan -- these three countries have already received foodstuffs thanks to our exports and the U.N.'s food programme." The deal eased a world food crisis, but as more shippers have joined, the handful of inspection teams has fallen behind.

Russia’s domestic intelligence service said Wednesday it arrested eight people in connection with a blast that damaged a key bridge to the annexed Crimean Peninsula, blaming Ukraine for an incident that dealt a high-profile blow to President Vladimir Putin. In a press release Wednesday, the FSB said Ukraine’s military intelligence and its chief, Kyrylo Budanov, were behind the attack. The explosive was detonated as it was being carried in a truck toward Crimea on Saturday, the FSB said. A press officer for Ukraine's military intelligence service, Andrii Yusov, declined to comment, telling NBC News: "We are not commenting on the statements made by terrorists." Putin swiftly labeled the bridge blast “terrorism” and boasted that the deadly aerial barrage his military unleashed on Ukrainian cities earlier this week was an act of revenge.

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