First Grain Ship Departs from Odesa Port, UN Secretary-General Reacts

On Monday morning at 8:30 AM, the first ship loaded with wheat departed from the Ukrainian port, according to Turkey's Minister of Defense.

The announcement noted, "The first ship will leave Odesa at 8:30 AM." Earlier, Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin had reported that the transportation of wheat from Ukraine could begin from August 1. He indicated that loading had already been completed. Representatives from the Istanbul coordination center will monitor the ship using satellite assistance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the departure of the first commercial ship loaded with grain from the port of Odesa. The Secretary-General expressed hope that the first ship would be one of many grain carriers under the signed initiative, which he believes will bring necessary stability and reinforcement to food security.

It is worth mentioning that a signing ceremony took place in Istanbul on July 22, aimed at lifting restrictions on the export supply of Russian goods and supporting the export of Ukrainian grain. The deal, signed by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the UN, includes the removal of Ukrainian grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers through three ports, including Odesa.