Biden called for an extension of the food deal

The U.S. supports an initiative to extend a deal to export Ukrainian grain to world markets through Black Sea ports, U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday, speaking from the podium of the U.N. General Assembly.

“I am grateful for the work being done here at the United Nations to create a mechanism for grain exports through Black Sea ports. We need to ensure that this deal is extended,” Biden said.

Multilateral agreements were signed in Istanbul on July 22 to lift restrictions on Russian exports and to help Russia export Ukrainian grain. The deal, which was signed by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Nations, envisages the export of Ukrainian grain, food, and fertilizers via the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa.