Latest news about Russia and the war in Ukraine

What is the significance of Ukrainian grain?

Officials from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations met in Istanbul on Wednesday to try to reach an agreement that would allow the resumption of exports of vital products such as grain and sunflower oil from Ukraine.

Miguel Medina | AFP | Getty Images

You may be wondering why Ukraine’s Black Sea agricultural export deal is so important to the world. The USDA has the following facts Before the start of the conflict:

Ukraine is one of the world’s largest agricultural producers and exporters.

More than 55% of Ukraine’s land area is arable.

Ukraine is usually the world’s largest producer of sunflower powder, oil and seeds and the world’s largest exporter of sunflower powder and oil.

Ukraine is the sixth largest producer of corn in the world.

Ukraine is the seventh largest wheat producer in the world.

Ukrainian wheat exports were valued at $5.1 billion, and the main destinations were Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

– Matt Clinch

Germany to acquire 30% of Uniper shares under bailout deal

The German government has agreed to bail out gas company Uniper with a 15 billion euro ($15.24 billion) bailout deal.

Uniper, the first company in Germany to sound the alarm about high energy bills, filed for a bailout for government support earlier this month.

Zelensky hints at Turkey’s grain deal

In this photo illustration, a screen shows President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to members of the International Tribunal in The Hague. He accused the Russian authorities of war crimes and international terrorism.

Igor Golovniov | Light Rocket | Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted in his usual evening address on Thursday that a deal could be struck in Istanbul later on Friday.

“Tomorrow we also expect news of our country from Turkey regarding the opening of our ports,” he added. He said.

Millions of tons of wheat are stuck in the country. Ukraine is one of the world’s largest wheat exporters, and Russian forces are blocking the Black Sea, where granaries are located in major Ukrainian ports.

– Matt Clinch

Turkey says Russia and Ukraine are close to signing a grain export deal

A farm harvests grain in the field, as the Russo-Ukrainian war continues in Odessa, Ukraine on July 4, 2022.

Metin Aktas | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

A UN-backed agreement to resume Ukraine’s grain exports is likely to be signed on Friday, easing the global food crisis caused by the conflict in Eastern Europe.

The signing is reportedly set to take place at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman told reporters on Thursday that Russia and Ukraine had reached an agreement.

International observers are cautious about the deal and Russia will be closely watched to make sure it sticks to its side of the agreement. Grain exporters in the Ukrainian city of Odessa were unable to export their goods due to the war, which led to a global shortage of basic commodities and raised food prices.

The deal will reportedly allow Ukrainian ships to steer the ships through the mined waters, with a local truce so they don’t attack Russia. Turkish officials are also expected to check the shipments to rule out any arms smuggling.

Moscow, which holds Ukraine responsible for laying mines, is also expected to resume its Black Sea grain exports under the agreement.

– Matt Clinch

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Russia intentionally weaponized food in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at the “Fatherland, Courage, Honor” memorial near the headquarters of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR), in Moscow, Russia, on June 30, 2022.

Alexey Nikolsky | The Kremlin | Sputnik | via Reuters

The Foreign Ministry condemned the Russian attacks on Ukrainian agricultural facilities and banned food exports for months.

For several months, Russian warships closed the Ukrainian ports on the Azov and Black Seas.

“So far, Russia has weaponized food during this conflict. They have destroyed agricultural facilities and prevented millions of tons of Ukrainian grain from reaching those who need it,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said during a daily briefing.

“It is a reflection of Russia’s disregard for lives and livelihoods not only in the region but far beyond,” he added.

Price’s comments follow an announcement that the United Nations, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine will soon sign an agreement that will open a sea lane for Ukrainian grain exports.

“We shouldn’t have been in this situation in the first place,” Price said. “This was a deliberate decision by the Russian Federation to weaponize food.”

– Amanda Macias

The first lady of Ukraine meets HP representatives and accepts computers for students

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska arrives to address members of the US Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on July 20, 2022.

Michael Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska met with representatives from HP The Global Business Alliance for Education this week accepted a donation of computers to children, students and health care providers in Ukraine.

“We are very grateful for the support of HP and the Global Business Coalition for Education,” Zelenska wrote in a statement about HP’s $30 million initiative. “Their efforts and contribution will help students in Ukraine and abroad to continue learning and prepare for the future, like every other young person in the world,” she added.

HP CEO Enrique Loris said the Palo Alto-based company will continue to mobilize technical resources for Ukraine.

“Through our partnership with the Global Business Alliance for Education, we will put personal computers in the hands of students and families who have been displaced from their homes and classrooms,” Loris wrote in a statement.

– Amanda Macias