A spokesman for the Turkish president said on Sunday that there is a “high probability” that the first ship with Ukrainian grain for export could leave the port of Odesa in Ukraine on Monday morning under the terms of an agreement reached on July 22. with Russia, reports AFP.

“There is a good chance that the first vessel will leave tomorrow morning if everything is unblocked by tonight,” Ibrahim Kalin told private channel Kanal 7.

At the same time, he noted that there are still “one or two topics that need to be clarified” in the negotiations with the Russians.

“Preparations have reached the point where ships can leave the Odesa port. The ships are loaded, they are ready to sail, but good logistical coordination is needed,” he added.

The resumption of exports was also discussed at the meeting of the Turkish Defense Minister with the Ministers of Defense and Infrastructure of Ukraine, Ankara reported on Sunday.

“It is planned to launch transportation as soon as possible,” the Turkish ministry said in a statement.

In accordance with the agreement signed on July 22 between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by Turkey and the UN, the Joint Coordination Center (JCC), which oversees the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, was officially opened in Istanbul on Wednesday.

The deal to lift the embargo – the first major document involving both sides since the conflict began – aims to ease a global food crisis that has sent prices soaring in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Among the tasks of the Coordination Center are registration and monitoring, including via satellite, of commercial vessels that will be part of grain convoys, as well as inspection of vessels during their loading in Ukrainian ports and arrival. in Turkish ports.

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