Turkish officials have opened a joint coordination center for Ukrainian grain exports and expect shipments to begin in the coming days as Kyiv said work had resumed at three Black Sea ports designated under a recent UN-brokered deal with Russia for the flow of grain that has been blocked by Moscow's invasion.
The main duty for the center, opened on July 27, involves monitoring the safe passage of Ukrainian grain ships along established routes and overseeing their inspection for banned weapons on the way into and out of the Black Sea.
Using its strong relations with both Ukraine and Russia, Ankara helped put the deal together and has assumed a leading role in ensuring its execution.
"The staff working at this center are aware that the eyes of the world are upon them," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters at the opening of the center. "It is our hope that the center will make greatest contribution possible to humanitarian needs and peace."
With Turkey ready to monitor the process, the Ukrainian Navy said in a statement that work has resumed in the Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chernomorsk, and Pivdenniy.
Officials in Kyiv said earlier this week that they hope grain shipments can resume within the next few days.
Russia and Ukraine are two of the world's largest exporters of agricultural products and Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which halted grain and fertilizer shipments, has put the world on the brink of a major food crisis.