(VOVWORLD) -Turkey will continue discussions to extend grain shipments from Ukraine's Black Sea ports for 120 days rather than 60 days, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday.
 A grain tanker moves along the Bosphorus Strait on August 3, 2022. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
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The current agreement allows the shipment of grain from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea. Akar said parties to the deal must approve any extension of the agreement, but Ankara expects a positive outcome.
The Black Sea Grains Initiative was signed separately by Russia and Ukraine with the UN and Turkey last July. The deal was extended for another 120 days last November and will expire on Saturday.
Russia recently approved a 60-day extension and is weighting its next position, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said.