Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has no confidence in Russia to uphold its end of a deal to reopen Ukrainian Black Sea ports for grain exports.
Russia and Ukraine, both among the world's biggest exporters of food, sent their defence and infrastructure ministers respectively to Istanbul to take part in a signing ceremony, the two sides said.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov signed separate deals with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar. The ceremony was witnessed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres sit as representatives of Ukraine and Russia shake hands during a signing ceremony in Istanbul Friday."Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea," Guterres said. "A beacon of hope, a beacon of possibility, a beacon of relief in a world that needs it more than ever."
"You have overcome obstacles and put aside differences to pave the way for an initiative that will serve the common interests of all," he said, addressing the Russian and Ukrainian representatives.Trudeau said he had spoken with Guterres in recent weeks and was "optimistic" about the deal, but also said he wanted to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and security aren't put at risk.
"That's what we'll be watching very, very closely, to make sure this does not put Ukraine further at risk," he said.
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