Guterres Sends Letters to Putin, Erdogan, and Zelensky

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has sent letters to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the assurance of safe navigation in the Black Sea. This was reported to RIA Novosti by the Secretary-General's spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.

According to Dujarric, letters were dispatched in February to ensure that trade continues, shipments flow, and vessels remain safe. The freedom of civil navigation remains a central objective of the UN's ongoing efforts, the spokesperson added.

“The export of food and agricultural products through the Black Sea is extremely important for global markets and food security,” said Stéphane Dujarric, noting that Ukrainian and Russian vessels continue to be endangered by attacks on ports and maritime borders.

According to Regnum, the UN will continue to work to ensure that agricultural products and fertilizers from Russia and Ukraine can enter global markets without any restrictions, announced UN Secretary-General António Guterres on February 23. The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, stated that the suspension of the grain deal, which the Russian side is ready to resume contingent upon the lifting of sanctions against Russian companies, has led to disaster and a global food deficit. At the same time, she noted that Russia continues to export domestic food products and fertilizers free of charge to needy countries.

The grain deal involving Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the UN operated from July 22, 2022, to July 20, 2023, concerning the export of grain from Ukrainian ports.