Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press conference during the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

KYIV/UNITED NATIONS/ISTANBUL – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that his country hopes to continue the Black Sea grain deal after Russia's withdrawal, Zelensky's spokesman Sergii Nykyforov said on Facebook.

"Even without the Russian Federation, everything must be done so that we can use this Black Sea corridor," Zelensky was cited as saying.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye – together with the memorandum of understanding between Russia and the world body – has been a lifeline for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that he ordered the Foreign Ministry to prepare "official signals" to the United Nations and Türkiye regarding the continuation of the deal

Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Türkiye and the United Nations the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, which allowed Ukraine to export its grain and other agricultural products from its Black Sea ports. As a parallel agreement, Russia and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports.

Zelensky noted that he ordered the Foreign Ministry to prepare "official signals" to the United Nations and Türkiye regarding the continuation of the deal.

The companies that own ships are ready to continue supplying grain if Ukraine and Türkiye will allow the passage of the vessels, Zelensky said.

ALSO READ: Russia suspends participation in Black Sea grain deal

In July last year, Ukraine and Russia separately signed a deal with Türkiye and the United Nations in Istanbul to resume food shipments from Ukrainian ports to international markets via the Black Sea.

Excavators work at a grain port in Izmail, Ukraine, April 26, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Since then, the deal was extended several times and is due to expire on July 18.

Unfortunately, the part of these Black Sea agreements that concerns Russia has not been implemented so far, so its effect is terminated.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman

Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Russia objects to the extension of the grain deal, according to media reports, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow decided to suspend its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

"Unfortunately, the part of these Black Sea agreements that concerns Russia has not been implemented so far, so its effect is terminated," local media reported, citing Peskov. Russia had been complaining that its demands to improve its own grain and fertilizer exports have not been met.

Peskov noted that the country will immediately return to the deal when the Russian part of the agreements is fulfilled.

ALSO READ: Last ship leaves Ukraine, Black Sea grain deal's fate lies in Russia

The grain initiative, which was initially valid for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days until March 18, 2023. Russia then agreed to extend the deal for only 60 days. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days.

Ukraine has exported 32.5 million tons of foodstuffs to 45 countries in the first 11 months of the functioning of the agreement, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Monday, citing data from the State Enterprise "Administration of Sea Ports of Ukraine".

'Regret Russia's decision'

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said he regretted Russia's decision to withdraw from the grain initiative.

"I deeply regret the decision by the Russian Federation to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea," Guterres said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press conference in Port-au-Prince on July 1, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

With the decision to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia also terminated its commitment to facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil, and fertilizers from Ukrainian-controlled Black Sea ports, as expressed in the memorandum of understanding between Russia and the United Nations, he told a press encounter at the UN headquarters in New York.

I deeply regret the decision by the Russian Federation to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General

The initiative has ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tons of food commodities from Ukrainian ports. The World Food Programme has shipped more than 725,000 tons to support humanitarian operations, relieving hunger in some of the hardest-hit corners of the world, including Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Yemen, noted Guterres.

ALSO READ: UN chief calls for continuation of Black Sea grain deal

At a time when the production and availability of food are being disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 percent since March last year, he added.

"Ultimately, participation in these agreements is a choice. But struggling people everywhere and developing countries don't have a choice. Hundreds of millions of people face hunger and consumers are confronting a global cost-of-living crisis. They will pay the price," said Guterres, noting that there was already a jump in wheat prices immediately after the announcement of the Russian decision.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, leaves after addressing a media conference at a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Erdogan seeks to salvage deal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he could speak by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin before a long-awaited trip expected to be made by the Russian leader to Türkiye

Also on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the multilateral deal allowed for shipments of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine's Black Sea ports could be saved.

"Despite the statement made today, I believe that Russian President (Vladimir) Putin wants the continuation of this humanitarian bridge," Erdogan said, referring to the accord.

Erdogan was speaking to reporters at an Istanbul airport before embarking on a visit to Saudi Arabia.

READ MORE: Erdogan calls for extending Black Sea Grain Initiative

He said that he could speak by phone with Putin before a long-awaited trip expected to be made by the Russian leader to Türkiye.

Last week, Erdogan said Putin may visit Türkiye in August.