UN 'cautiously optimistic' about Ukraine grain deal renewal after 'tirelessly' working to make it reality

UNITED NATIONS

The UN is ''cautiously optimistic'' about the renewal of a deal that allows Ukrainian grain exports, a UN source said Wednesday.

''We have reasons to believe to be cautiously optimistic on the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative,'' according to the source who did not want to be named. ''The UN has been working tirelessly to make this possible.''

The deal was initially signed for 120 days that expires Nov. 19.

Russian authorities have complained that Western sanctions ''indirectly'' hinder the country’s grain and fertilizer exports despite the deal.

The source said the private sector is willing to reengage in the trade-off for fertilizers from Russia.

The optimism came after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths​​​​​​​ also met Russian and Turkish officials Tuesday in Istanbul to discuss the renewal of the deal.

​​​​​​​Türkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement July 22 in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February.