Turkey and the United Nations (UN) want firm guarantees to bring Russian agricultural products and ammonia to the market, they are waiting for the West to publicize them, which will help the extension of the "grain deal" and its effective work, a source familiar with the respective negotiations told RIA Novosti.

The “grain deal" expires on March 18. Ibrahim Kalin, the official representative of the president of Turkey, announced earlier that Ankara received Washington's guarantees regarding the delivery of Russian agricultural products to the market and called on the US to publicize them.

"Yes, we want to receive guarantees from the Western countries that there will be no obstacles [in bringing Russian products and ammonia to the market]. Currently there are obstacles related to logistics, insurance, and payment. We would like to receive reinforced concrete guarantees from Western countries; moreover, so that it is publicized. This, of course, will help the smooth operation of the Black Sea grain initiative," said the interlocutor of the agency.

The “grain deal,” which was signed by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the UN on July 22, 2022, provides for the transportation of Ukrainian wheat, food, and fertilizers from three Black Sea ports, including Odessa. The Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul deals with coordinating the direction of the respective ships.