Ibrahim Karin, spokesman of the Turkish presidential palace, said on July 31 that the first ship carrying Ukrainian grain was expected to leave the Black Sea port on August 1. Previously, Ukraine and Russia signed relevant agreements with Turkey and the United Nations on the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports in Istanbul. In an interview with Turkish media on the same day, Karin said: "if everything can be finalized by tonight, there is a high possibility that the first grain ship will leave the port tomorrow morning." According to him, only oneortwo other matters have not been negotiated with Russia. The relevant ships have loaded grain and are ready to leave Odessa. Both Ukraine and Russia are major grain exporters, and Ukraine is known as the "granary of Europe". After Russia launched a special military operation against Ukraine on February 24, the grain exports of both countries were disturbed, and the international futures market prices of important agricultural products such as wheat, corn, sunflower oil fluctuated sharply. The Uzbek side accused the Russian army of blocking the Uzbek Black Sea port and hindering the outward transportation of grain. Russia refuted this statement and accused Ukraine of laying a large number of mines in the waters near the Black Sea port, endangering navigation safety. After coordination between Turkey and the United Nations, the representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations signed relevant agreements on July 22, including the establishment of a joint coordination center in Istanbul and ensuring the safety of food transportation, and Russia and Ukraine agreed that neither side would attack ships transporting agricultural products. The joint coordination center, which was officially opened on July 27, is composed of five representatives from each side of the Quartet, and monitors grain shipping routes with the help of satellite, network and other communication means. According to Turkey, the joint coordination center will establish a "maritime food transportation security corridor". The Ukrainian Navy said that Odessa and other three black sea ports had resumed operations on July 27. Before the grain carrier leaves the port, the channel it passes through must be carefully checked to eliminate "underwater risks" such as mines. In addition, the relevant parties are also preparing to send warships to cruise the nearby waters in order to escort the grain carrier through safely. According to the data released by Ukraine, more than 20million tons of grain are stranded in the Black Sea port. Ukrainian government officials said on July 29 that the Ukrainian side is ready to start grain export and hopes to open the first grain ship in the near future. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said on July 31 that Ukrainian grain production fell sharply this year and is expected to reach only half the level of previous years. (Xinhua News Agency)