ISTANBUL—Negotiators, having reached the outlines of a deal for Ukraine to export grain from seaports amid the war with Russia, face challenges to getting it done, from the demining of ports to persuading shippers they can operate safely in a conflict zone.
Turkey’s and Russia’s presidents have sounded positive about the talks, as has a senior Ukrainian official. Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
whose government has brokered the negotiations with the U.N., expressed optimism Wednesday that Russia and Ukraine would soon sign a deal.
“This week, we want to put this agreement into writing. And we wish that this plan will start to be implemented in the coming days,” Turkey’s state-run news agency quoted Mr. Erdogan as saying, a day after he met with Russian President
An agreement could potentially free up about 18 million tons of wheat, corn and other supplies that war has prevented Ukraine from exporting, with the Russian invasion contributing to a rise in global food prices that U.S. officials said has sparked protests in 17 countries.
Substantial differences still need to be bridged among the warring parties, said Western officials. Should the governments reach a deal, privately owned freighters, insurers and sea crews might be reluctant to handle cargoes from Odessa and other war-zone ports, given the threat of further attacks, according to the officials, grain traders and other industry experts.
Ukraine faces the challenge of how to store or export its coming summer harvest. A grain elevator in Melitopol, Ukraine.
Photo:
AFP via Getty Images
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