Guterres hopes Ukraine grain deal will bring peace

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday expressed his hope that the coordinated work between countries to move grain and products out of Ukraine and Russia may also contribute to peace being struck between both parties.

Speaking alongside Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar during a trip to Istanbul's Joint Coordination Center, set up to administer the export of agricultural products across the Black Sea, Guterres praised teams for their work on the operation.

Guterres also said the center's work was "of enormous importance for humanity." Ukraine and Russia reached a deal with Turkey on July 22 to restart Black Sea grain deliveries, addressing the major export disruption that has occurred.