Russia suspends its participation in the inspection of Ukrainian grain ships in Istanbul

The Russian delegation that has participated since the beginning of August in istanbul in the inspection of ships with ukrainian cereals decided to withdraw “for an indefinite period”, the Joint Coordination Center (JCC), which oversees export operations, announced on Sunday.

The delegation of the Russian Federation has made it known that … it is suspending its participation in the implementation of the Initiative’s activities, including inspections, for an indefinite period,” the CCC said in a statement.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense had affirmed hours before that the inspections of ships loaded with ukrainian cereals would continue “today and tomorrow [por el lunes]” In Estambul.

The Joint Coordination Center, which brings together delegates from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the HIMconfirmed that 11 ships had been inspected on Sunday, before specifying that the Russian delegation had announced that it would no longer participate in the review tasks.

Moscow announced on Saturday the suspension of its participation in the agreement that allows Ukraine export its cereals, vital for many poor countries, after denouncing a drone attack on Russian ships in Crimea.

“In order to continue the implementation of the Initiative, it was proposed that the Turkish and UN delegations provide tomorrow 10 inspection teams to inspect 40 outgoing ships. This inspection plan was accepted by the Ukrainian delegation. The UN delegation Russian Federation has been informed,” the CCC reported.

According to the Coordination Center, a total of 112 ships are waiting to be inspected off the coast of Istanbul to continue their way to other countries.

The agreement, which entered into force on August 1 and expires on November 19, allowed the export from Ukrainian ports of more than 9.5 million tons of grain and other agricultural products, according to the Joint Coordination Center.

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