The agreement to export grain from the ports of southern Ukraine "is going as planned", with around 18 million tons of food already being transported, despite the difficulties raised in constant meetings.

"Nt's not an easy agreement, we're talking about two countries at war, countries that we have to sit down at a table and have agreements every day so that maritime movements can continue," the spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Ukraine, Saviano Abreu, said in an interview.

On August 19 last year, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres visited the port of Odessa to witness the first shipment of grain held up in Ukraine due to the Russian fleet's blockade of the Black Sea since the beginning of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The so-called Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed on July 22 in Istanbul, involving Russia, Ukraine, two of the world's largest exporters, the United Nations and Turkey.

"It was a major breakthrough," recalled the Brazilian UN official, referring to a legacy of the UN leader, in "getting Russia and Ukraine to reach this kind of agreement in this very cruel war that is affecting the whole world," but also to the importance of Turkey for the understanding to continue.

Since August, around 18 million tons of grain have been transported by sea from Ukraine, which "is important for small Ukrainian farmers, who depend on these exports "to survive in the country's economy which is already so affected by the war", and for the rest of the world and prevent the risk of famine in several countries.

The figures are in line with what was planned, according to the UN spokesman, pointing out that "it's an agreement that has an important humanitarian background, but it's also an agreement based on commercial interests" and that "it guarantees that the commercial system for exporting fertilizers, grains and food will continue within the parameters that existed before and will not affect the world market".

During his visit to Odessa, António Guterres asked that, in addition to the release of grain and fertilizers produced in Ukraine, Russian foodstuffs be allowed access to the global market outside of sanctions and returned to the subject in statements to Lusa on January 5: "We also remain committed to resolving the problems of exporting Russian fertilizers and grain, which the international community also needs."

The agreement has not yet been reached, but according to Saviano Abreu, it is one of the points that remains on the table and that Russia continues to demand, with the involvement of the UN and Turkey: "Not only because Russia also requires this for the agreement to continue, but also because of the world's dependence on its fertilizers."

Without going into details, as these are "delicate, complicated agreements, where it is better to avoid any speculation and avoid problems in the negotiations", the spokesman stressed that the issue is not forgotten and "is an important part" of the discussions for the next extension of the understanding. (Notícias ao Minuto)