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Turkish, Russian defense chiefs welcome extension of grain deal

The agreements on Ukrainian food exports were made for a term of 120 days in Istanbul on July 22

ANKARA, November 22. /TASS/. The defense ministers of Russia and Turkey, Hulusi Akar and Sergei Shoigu, expressed satisfaction with the extension of the Istanbul agreements on agricultural exports from Ukrainian ports, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday following a phone call between the defense chiefs.

"Satisfaction was expressed with the extension of the grain initiative, which is making a great contribution to efforts to overcome a global food crisis, as well as with cooperation and interaction on the issue," the statement reads.

The agreements on Ukrainian food exports were made for a term of 120 days in Istanbul on July 22. One of the deals, regulating grain exports from the Ukraine-controlled ports of Odessa, Chernomosk and Yuzhny, was initially in effect until November 19. The agreements were extended for another 120 days on November 17. The Russian Foreign Ministry explained that the deal had been extended automatically as there had been no objections from the parties involved (Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, the UN).

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