China News Agency, Beijing, March 14th. Comprehensive news: According to Russian media reports on the 13th, Russia agreed to extend the agreement on the export of agricultural products at Black Sea ports for 60 days.

The European Council announced on the 13th that it has decided to extend the sanctions against 1,473 individuals and 205 entities in Russia for 6 months.

　　Russia agrees to extend Black Sea port export agreement for agricultural products for 60 days

　　According to a report by the Tass News Agency on the 13th, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vershinin said that the Russian side has no objection to continuing to extend the agreement on the export of agricultural products to the Black Sea port, and the extension period is 60 days.

　　The United Nations issued a statement on the 13th stating that the United Nations has taken note of Russia's statement on extending the agreement for 60 days.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN would do everything possible to preserve the integrity of the agreement and ensure its continuity.

　　The agreement enabled the successful export of 24 million tons of grain from the Black Sea and the passage of more than 1,600 ships, 55 percent of which went to developing countries, the statement said.

The continuation of the agreement is critical to global food security.

　　In July last year, Russia and Ukraine signed relevant agreements with Turkey and the United Nations in Istanbul on the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

At the same time, Russia and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding on the export of Russian agricultural products, and the United Nations is obliged to lift various restrictions that hinder the export of Russian agricultural products and chemical fertilizers.

The relevant agreement is valid for 120 days. After it expired on November 19 last year, the parties negotiated to extend the agreement for 120 days to March 18 this year.

　　More than 8,000 Ukrainian civilians killed, UN says

　　The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported on the 13th that from February 24, 2022 to March 12, 2023, Russian special military operations have killed 8,231 Ukrainian civilians and injured 13,734.

　　Given delays in receiving information in some areas of intense firefights and many reports still awaiting confirmation, the office believes the "actual toll of casualties is much higher," the source said.

　　Ukrainian President Says He Will Do All It Can to Strengthen Troops

　　According to Ukrainian news agency reports on the 13th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video speech that he will do everything possible to strengthen Ukraine's military strength.

He said that the Ukrainian government has approved and submitted to the parliament a national budget amendment that allocates more than 5 trillion hryvnia (1 U.S. dollar equals 36.7 hryvnia) for defense construction.

　　Zelensky said that the funds will be used to provide financial support to the Ukrainian defense sector and to purchase defense equipment such as drones.

　　EU extends sanctions against Russian individuals and entities

　　The European Council announced on its official website on the 13th that it has decided to extend the sanctions against 1,473 individuals and 205 entities in Russia for 6 months until September 15, 2023.

　　According to sources, in response to Russia's special military actions, the EU has imposed further large-scale sanctions on Russia to weaken Russia's economic foundation and deprive it of key technologies and markets.

Individuals placed on the sanctions list have had their bank accounts and assets frozen and have been banned from traveling to the EU.

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