China News Service, July 23 (Guan Na) "Today, a beacon of hope appeared on the Black Sea," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

　　On the 22nd local time, representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations signed an agreement on the transport of agricultural products and fertilizers from the Black Sea in Istanbul, paving the way for the solution of Russian-Ukrainian grain shipments through the Black Sea ports.

　　This is the first major agreement between Russia and Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

In the face of the current situation and the mutual distrust between Russia and Ukraine, can the agreement go smoothly and alleviate the food crisis?

And can it lay the foundation for peace talks between the two sides?

'Unprecedented' deal

　　Under the mediation of the United Nations and Turkey, Russia and Ukraine signed agreements with the United Nations and Turkey on the 22nd to resume the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

On July 22, 2022, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General António Guterres presided over the signing ceremony in Istanbul.

　　Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that two agreements were signed that day. The first agreement stipulates that the United Nations will mediate the lifting of restrictions on the export of Russian agricultural products.

The second agreement lays down the rules for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

　　Russia and Ukraine are the world's largest exporters of wheat and corn.

The escalation of the situation in Ukraine disrupted the operation of ports, coupled with the impact of Western sanctions, a large number of grains were stranded in Ukraine and could not be shipped out, and the global food crisis intensified.

In this context, the conclusion of the agreement has been affirmed by many parties.

　　UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it an "unprecedented" agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

It is a "beacon of hope" for millions of hungry people who face sharp increases in food prices.

　　Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented that it is gratifying that the European Union and the United States are no longer obstructing food transactions.

He stressed that "Russia will continue to fulfill its obligations to ensure food security".

　　Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the relevant agreement is fully in the interests of the Uzbek side.

　　U.S. Secretary of State Blinken said the United States welcomes the agreement and looks forward to its swift and smooth implementation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the deal would help prevent famine and ease global food inflation.

The Black Sea food and agricultural product transport corridor will start in a few days.

perform or face the test

　　Although the agreement was reached, foreign media comments pointed out that the implementation of the agreement faces great difficulties.

International observers are also wary of the deal.

The current hostility and mutual distrust between Russia and Ukraine also cast a shadow over the smooth implementation of the agreement.

　　It is worth noting that the deputy spokesman of the UN Secretary-General Haque said that Russia and Ukraine signed the agreement separately, and the representatives of the two countries used different copies to sign.

Ukrainian officials say they do not want to put their name on the same documents as Russia.

　　Podoljak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president's office, said that Ukraine would not sign an agreement directly with Moscow, and warned that if the conflict with Russia escalated, Ukraine would "immediately" make a military response.

　　Before that, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of being responsible for the obstruction of grain exports.

The Ukrainian side accused Russia of "stealing" grain from the Ukrainian farm, and also said that the Russian navy prevented Ukraine from sending grain and other export goods.

Russia denies interfering with Ukraine's grain exports, accusing Ukraine of laying mines in the Black Sea and endangering the safety of navigation.

Farmland in the background of a power plant in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, July 22, 2022.

　　In addition, there were signs of tension at the signing ceremony, with Russian and Ukrainian representatives refusing to sit on the same side of the table and avoiding shaking hands, and the display of the flags of the two countries was adjusted so that they were no longer next to each other.

　　According to CNN, a Ukrainian farmer in Zaporozhye expressed concern about the implementation of the agreement - "The price will be higher at the port, but it's still going. We need rental cars, logistics, etc. Queues. What will the situation be like? How to get there?"

　　Peter Meyer, head of grain and oilseed analysis at Platts, said the agreement "does not mean the global supply crisis is over".

The New York Times also said that given the fragility of the agreement, food markets are unlikely to return to normal immediately.

Can the "negotiating table" be expanded?

　　Since the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Russia and Ukraine have conducted several rounds of negotiations to no avail.

Erdogan hopes the deal will be "a new turning point that rekindles hope for peace."

　　Erdogan further predicted that this may lay the groundwork for a complete end to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

USAID Administrator Samantha Ball said the agreement was "an extremely important piece of the puzzle" in resolving the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

On July 22, 2022, UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaks during the signing ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey.

　　However, Guterres is not so optimistic, he said: "At present, I do not see any conditions for the peace process." The BBC analyzed that although there are some hopeful signs, reaching a broader The possibility of a deal seems out of reach.

　　Lavrov said a few days ago that due to the continued supply of weapons from the West to Ukraine, the geographical target of Russia's special military operation against Ukraine will be further expanded from the current Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

　　Zelensky also said recently that Ukraine is not ready to negotiate with Russia.

He also said a ceasefire was impossible unless lost ground was regained.

At the same time, the United States announced an additional $270 million worth of new military aid to Ukraine.

　　The arrival of advanced Western equipment has brought fresh optimism to Ukraine, the BBC said.

After the deal in Istanbul, if a broader peace process is to take place, only Erdogan seems to be talking about it at the moment.

Can the "beacon of hope" in the Black Sea clear the haze of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict?

This is probably still quite far away.

(Finish)