Three ships with grain to set out from Ukrainian ports on Friday

Three ships carrying grain are expected to set sail from Ukrainian ports on Friday, August 5, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told journalists on Thursday.

"As part of the intensive activity of the joint coordination center, three ships with grain are scheduled to leave Ukrainian ports tomorrow," the minister said.

A package of documents aimed at resolving the issue of food and fertilizer supplies to global markets was signed in Istanbul on July 22. Under a Russia-UN memorandum, the United Nations will engage in efforts to lift anti-Russian restrictions preventing the export of agricultural products and fertilizers. Another document creates a mechanism to export grain from Ukraine-controlled Black Sea ports. The deal inked between Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN provides for the establishment of a four-party coordination center whose representatives will inspect grain ships in order to prevent arms smuggling and false flag operations. The Joint Grain Export Coordination Center was launched in Istanbul on July 27.