The last vessel left the port of Odessa before the expiration of the grain deal

The Turkish bulk carrier TQ Samsun left the port of Odessa on Sunday morning, July 16, the day before the expiration of the grain deal. Thus, the ship was the last to leave the Ukrainian port under the agreement, writes Reuters.

According to the agency, the Russian side has not agreed to the registration of new vessels since June 27. A UN spokesman said on Friday, July 14, that Secretary General António Guterres is waiting for a decision from Russian President Vladimir Putin on the possibility of extending the agreement.

The deal was concluded on July 22, 2022 by representatives of Turkey and the UN, on the one hand, and representatives of Russia and Ukraine, on the other. As part of the negotiations, two agreements were signed between Moscow and Kiev. The first is for the export of Ukrainian grain from three ports, including Odessa, Yuzhny and Chornomorsk, the second is for assistance in the export of Russian grain and fertilizers.

July 15 Putin conversation with the leader of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, said that the obligations to remove obstacles to the export of Russian food and fertilizers from Ukraine remain unfulfilled. According to him, the main goal of the grain deal, the supply of grain to countries in need, including in Africa, has not been realized.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Russia could withdraw from the grain deal after it ends on July 17. The Kremlin noted that the Russian part of the agreements on the grain deal is still not being fulfilled, and therefore there are no grounds for its extension.