Ukraine seeks to extend special deal to continue exporting grain

Additional discussions are expected in an online format, Ukrainian deputy prime minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said

Ukraine is allowed to export grain out of the Black Sea under the terms of the deal (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra, File)

The Ukrainian government is seeking to extend a wartime deal that allows the country’s grain to get to nations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where hunger is a growing threat, a top Ukrainian official said on Thursday after the latest talks on prolonging the agreement.

The two-talks in Istanbul involved Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian and United Nations officials but yielded no decisions for an extension. The deal is due to expire next Wednesday.