Ukraine wheat deal nears expiration, no sign of delay

2023-07-15 16:56:06, Kosova & Bota CNA

Concerns are growing whether Russia will agree to delay a deal to export Ukrainian wheat, which expires on July 17. Meanwhile, fighting has continued with increased intensity in Kherson, a region in the south of Ukraine. The command of the Special Operations Forces of this country has released footage showing Ukrainian forces conducting checks on an island occupied by Russia in the Dnipro River in the Kherson region.

Footage released by the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Command appears to show a Kiev attack on Russian positions on the Dnipro River.

"As a result of the operation, one enemy ship was destroyed and one was damaged," said the report of the Ukrainian special forces.

"In addition, five occupiers have been neutralized," the report added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that "Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine are investing everything to stop the Ukrainian counterattack."

"Every success of each of our combat brigades deserves recognition. All those who go on the offensive, all those who repulse the enemy's attacks, are doing a great job, and I am grateful to each of our fighters," Mr. Zelensky said.

He added that despite several fruitful days, the Ukrainian government continues to push for international support.

"We will not reduce our international activity for a single day, especially in relation to peace, security guarantees for Ukraine on its way to NATO as well as agreements with partners on weapons for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia," he said . Ukrainian President, Zelensky.

The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, made a surprise visit to Kiev on Saturday. He promised $150 million in humanitarian aid for this year alone.

"South Korea will continue to provide military supplies that Ukraine needs. After last year's military supplies such as bulletproof vests and helmets, we will support military supplies on a large scale this year," the South Korean president said.

South Korea, a US ally and growing arms exporter, has faced pressure to provide arms to Ukraine, calls that President Yoon's administration has resisted in favor of humanitarian and financial aid, wary of Russia's influence over North Korea.

As the war continues, the agreement to export Ukrainian wheat is expiring. The agreement known as "Black Sea Wheat" ends on July 17. The penultimate ship arrived in Istanbul today.

The ship "TK Majestic" was anchored after crossing the Bosphorus Strait in the early hours of Saturday. A UN official announced that the last ship "TQ Samsun" is still in the port of Odesa in Ukraine.

The Kremlin said today that Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, also on the issue of the agreement. According to the announcement of the Russian presidency, Mr. Putin complained that "promises to remove obstacles to Russian grain and fertilizer exports were not kept yet."

The UN and Turkey brokered the agreement between Russia and Ukraine last July to help alleviate a global food crisis exacerbated by Russian aggression and Moscow's blockade of Ukrainian ports./ VOA