The Black Sea Grain Corridor, which is supposed to ensure the safe supply of Ukrainian food to world markets, has not yet resumed operations, The Guardian reports.
The day before, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the deal had been extended for two months. However, dozens of ships are still waiting to be inspected before leaving the ports.
"This was announced yesterday, but so far these statements have not led to the resumption of work, and the joint centre in Istanbul has not checked the vessels either yesterday or today," said Yuriy Vaskov, deputy minister for reconstruction of Ukraine.
He added that the inspection would begin yesterday, 17 May, "immediately after the statements of our partners". "We are waiting for the position of our partners today and believe that they will be able to resolve this issue," Vaskov added.
There are 62 ships waiting for the inspection.
On 17 May, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the Black Sea Grain Corridor had been extended for two months. According to him, Russia has promised not to prevent Turkish ships from leaving the ports of Mykolayiv and Olviya. Previously, grain was exported only from the ports of Odesa Region. Ukraine wanted to involve Mykolayiv ports as well.
Subsequently, Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar said that the grain deal did not address any of Russia's needs.