UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday, after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he also spoke about food exports and fertilizers, the chances of peace in Ukraine are “little right now”.
“I feel we are still a long way from peace. I would be lying if I said it could happen soon,” Guterres said at a news conference. “There is little chance of a peace deal at the moment,” he insisted, noting that a ceasefire is not on the horizon. “I am in contact with both sides and hope that one day it will be possible to move to a higher level of discussion.”
Guterres spoke with Putin on July 22 about possible “extension and expansion” of the UN-sponsored agreement on Ukraine’s grain exports, which is expected to last 120 days.
On July 22, two agreements were signed: one to allow the export of war-blocked Ukrainian grains, and the other to enable Russia’s exports of food and fertilizers. While the initial deal allowed about 3 million tons of grain to leave Ukraine, Russia says food and fertilizer exports continue to face Western sanctions.
Discussing the “existing barriers” to these exports with Putin, Guterres said, “Russian exports of food and fertilizers exist, but at a much lower level than is desired and necessary.” “The situation of fertilizers in the world is dramatic,” said the UN chief, reiterating fears that the world will face food shortages in 2023.
Guterres also stated that he discussed with Putin the issue of prisoners of war and the situation of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
source: Noticias
