Ukraine wants to extend the grain initiative and include the Mykolaiv seaport.

 This week, Ukraine will officially propose to Turkey and the UN to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative for one year and to expand it to the port of Mykolaiv, said the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, Yuriy Vaskov. He explained that the one-year extension will allow both the Ukrainian and global agricultural markets to have the opportunity to plan long term export volumes. In addition, the official said that Ukraine will insist on increasing the number of inspection teams to eliminate the backlog of vessels awaiting inspection. The date of the discussions, previously held in Turkey, has not yet been set. According to Vaskov, by blocking Ukrainian ports Russia violates international conventions on shipping, so Ukraine calls on the international community to intervene and restore Ukrainian ships’ access to the sea.