United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres said yesterday that he was "concerned" about the future of the Ukrainian grain export agreement, and that he was "working hard" to extend it beyond July 18.

At a press conference, António Guterres: "I am concerned and we are working hard to ensure that it is possible to maintain the Black Sea grain agreement and, at the same time, continue our work to facilitate Russian exports."

In July 2022, Ukraine and Russia, mediated by Turkey and the United Nations, signed the Black Sea Grain Agreement to allow exports of food blocked at Ukrainian ports.

Meanwhile, this crucial agreement, cited by Lusa, which helped alleviate the global food crisis caused by the war, has already been extended several times, but Moscow has threatened to end it if its own food and fertilizer exports continue to be obstructed.

Now, Russia is asking, in particular, for the resumption of the operation of the Togliatti-Odessa pipeline for deliveries of ammonia, an essential chemical component for fertilizers.

However, an explosion in that pipeline last week - which Moscow and Kiev accuse each other of - could have a "negative impact" on the future of the Black Sea grain deal, the Kremlin warned.

The military offensive launched on February 24, 2022 by Russia in Ukraine has so far caused more than 14.7 million people to flee - 6.5 million internally displaced.