Ukraine in complex negotiations over grain deal extension: Mykhailo Podolyak

Ukraine is in intense negotiations to ensure the continuation of grain shipments from the Black Sea ports after the deal expiration in November, said Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the Head of the Office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with Bloomberg.

"We hope to extend the mandate for the export of grain from Ukrainian ports," he adds.

However, he hesitated to elaborate on when any results could be expected, calling the negotiations complex.

According to him, Ukraine does not negotiate with russia directly, but instead, there are subgroups, in which Turkey and the UN representatives are present.

Maritime ports of Ukraine were blocked by russia since February 24, 2022, the day this country started a full-scale war against Ukraine until on 22 July a grain deal was signed in Turkey.

From Aug. 1 to Oct. 5, 274 vessels bound for Asia, Europe and Africa departed the ports of Ukraine. The ships were loaded with 6.2 MMT of agricultural commodities.