First ship to set off from Ukraine after Turkey-brokered grain deal

Odessa, Ukraine (Photo: AA/File)

Coordination efforts are continuing for the first ship loaded with grain to depart from Ukraine's Black Sea ports, the National Defense Ministry said yesterday (July 24).

"We are working hard at the Joint Coordination Center established in İstanbul for the safe delivery of the grain waiting in Ukrainian ports to countries all over the world," it said on Twitter. "Coordination between authorities continues for the first ship loaded with grain to start sailing from Ukrainian ports as soon as possible."

With the mediation of Turkey and the UN, Ukraine and Russia on Friday signed an agreement in İstanbul on the resumption of Ukraine's grain shipments from Black Sea ports.

Under the deal, reached on a UN-led plan during talks in İstanbul, a coordination center has been established to carry out joint inspections at the entrances and exits of harbors, and to ensure the safety of the routes.

Turkey coordinated with Moscow and Kyiv to open a corridor from the Ukrainian port city of Odessa to resume global grain shipments long halted due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine that started on February 24. (VK)