Russia, Turkey and Qatar preparing new grain deal without Ukraine – Bild

This was reported by Bild.

Journalists refer to official correspondence between the Foreign Ministry and the embassies of Russia and Turkey from July 21 to August 8. A new grain deal may be signed this weekend in Budapest.

The Turkish side will act as the organizer, and Qatar will sponsor the supply. Under the new agreement, Russian grain will be shipped to poor countries, mainly African.

At the same time, it is noted that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is asking Russia to renew the previous grain agreement so that grain can be supplied from Ukraine.

What is known about the ‘grain corridor’ operation

On July 17, Russia announced the termination of the grain deal. In response, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was necessary to continue using the grain corridor even despite Russia's withdrawal from the agreement. And Kuleba began urgent consultations at the UN.

On July 30, despite the termination of the "grain deal," three civilian cargo ships of foreign origin passed the Russian blockade in the Black Sea and anchored in one of Ukraine's grain ports in the Danube Delta.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov said on August 4 that Ukraine will send ships with its own grain to wherever it deems necessary and will not ask anyone for permission.

On August 10, the Ukrainian Navy announced a temporary humanitarian corridor for merchant ships sailing to and from Ukrainian ports. These routes will be used primarily to allow civilian vessels that have been stranded in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdennyi since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion to leave.

On August 12, Ukraine opened registration of merchant ships and their owners who are ready to use temporary routes to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.

On August 16, the first vessel left the port of Odesa after Russia announced that it will terminate the grain deal on July 16, 2023.