Black Sea grain exports deal 'a beacon of hope' amid Ukraine war - Guterres
An "unprecedented agreement" on the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea amid the ongoing war is "a beacon of hope" in a world that desperately needs it, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at the signing ceremony in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Friday.
UN News
Russia Attacks Black Sea Port of Odessa Immediately After Agreement to Resume Grain Exports
On the 23rd, the Ukrainian military announced that the commercial port of Odessa in the south facing the Black Sea had been attacked by Russian missiles. The two countries had just signed an agreement on the 22nd to resume exports of Ukrainian grains, which have been delayed due to Russia's blockade of the Black Sea.
UN Secretary-General Guterres issued a statement through his spokesperson saying that he "unequivocally condemns" the move and reiterated his call for the implementation of the agreement to resume grain exports.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun
U.S. Secretary of State "strongly condemns" Russia's attack on Odessa port.
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken issued a statement "strongly condemning" the missile attack by Russian forces on a commercial port in Odessa, southern Ukraine, on March 23. The two countries had just agreed on the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea on the 22nd, and "just 24 hours later, Russia broke its promise," he criticized. It demanded full implementation of the agreement.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun