The full details of the reported agreement between Russia and Ukraine have not yet been made public. However, he is scheduled to sign at 1:30 p.m. GMT (14:30 UK time) on Friday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s office said. Ukraine: Russia faces ‘critical shortages’ The blockade by the Russian Black Sea Fleet has reduced supplies to markets around the world and sent grain prices skyrocketing. Moscow has denied responsibility for the worsening food crisis, instead blaming Western sanctions for slowing its own food and fertilizer exports and Ukraine for mining its Black Sea ports. Ukraine and Russia, both of the world’s biggest food exporters, did not immediately confirm Thursday’s announcement from the Turkish presidency’s office. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted that his country’s Black Sea ports could soon be unblocked in a late-night video speech. Mr Zelensky, whose speech focused mainly on the possibility of Ukrainian forces making gains on the battlefield, said: “And tomorrow we expect news about our state from Turkey – about the unblocking of our ports.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN and Turkey have been working for two months to broker a “package” to restart Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports and facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer shipments. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement that the 27-nation bloc had proposed easing some previous sanctions in an effort to safeguard global food security, and Moscow hoped that would create conditions for the unhindered export of grain and fertilizer. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:40 Why Ukraine’s wheat matters so much A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “This deal must not only be agreed but implemented. “We have worked closely with the UN, Turkey, Ukraine and our G7 and G20 partners to unblock the grain that Putin deliberately used to weaponize food.” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington would focus on holding Moscow accountable for implementing the deal. Read more: Disappearing ships – Russia’s great grain heist Russia blames West for blocking UK grain exports to provide grain DNA testing technology to fight ‘Russian grain theft’ It comes as Mr Zelensky met with senior commanders on Thursday to discuss arms supplies and stepping up attacks against Russian forces. “(We agreed) that our forces have the strong capabilities to advance on the battlefield and inflict significant new casualties on the occupiers,” the Ukrainian president said in his video address. Ukraine has accused Russia of stepping up rocket attacks on cities in recent weeks to terrorize its population. Moscow denies attacking civilians and says all its targets are military.
