* Russia and Ukraine sent defence and infrastructure ministers to Istanbul, Turkey
* They signed the landmark deal alongside U.N. gen sec and Turkish president
* The accord opens the way to significant volumes of vital commercial food exports from three key Ukrainian ports - Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny
* Russia had been blockading the ports, preventing essential grain from leaving
* The deal, seen by many as the first breakthrough in the conflict, comes after almost six months of war
* British foreign secretary Liz Truss congratulated Turkey and the U.N. on the deal
* But stressed that the onus is now on Russia and Putin to ensure it is upheld
Russia and Ukraine have signed a deal to reopen Ukrainian Black Sea ports for grain exports, Turkey and the United Nations said, raising hopes that an international food crisis aggravated by the Russian invasion can be eased.
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 the signing ceremony, the two sides said.
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WNU Editor: In regards to this grain deal. Every little bit helps. Unfortunately sanctions on paying fertilizer products from Belarus and Russia are still being enforced.
Ukraine, Russia Sign U.N. Brokered Grain Export Deal On Black Sea
Ukraine, Russia sign U.N. deal to export grain on Black Sea -- AP
Ukraine, Russia sign deal to reopen grain export ports as war rages on -- Reuters
Ukraine war: Deal signed to allow grain exports to resume by sea -- BBC
Ukraine, Russia sign grain export deal -- DW
Grain deal clears one of many hurdles to get Ukraine’s crops to market -- The Guardian
Russia and Ukraine sign UN-backed deal to resume grain exports via the Black Sea -- CNBC
Ukraine and Russia agree to allow food shipments out of the Black Sea -- The Hill
Russia and Ukraine sign deal to resume crucial grain exports -- Axios