INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The UN-backed agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports safe passage through the Black Sea will be extended by 120 days, Ukrainian
ofdiscussions behind closed doors on its extension.Russia confirmed that it had allowed the extension of the Ukraine grain deal after the
extension was announced by the UN, Ankara and Kyiv."The Russian side is also allowing for the technical extension of the grain initiative
without changes in terms or scope," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, after fears that the landmark deal allowing the
export 10.2 million tons of grain blocked by Russia's invasion.The second deal was on the export of Russian food and fertilizers despite
Western sanctions imposed on Moscow following its invasion.Moscow has complained that a second deal exempting Russian fertilizers from
sanctions was not being honored and briefly pulled out of the agreement in October.The 120-day Black Sea Grain Initiative expires this
Saturday and was due to roll over unless there were objections.The United Nations had sought to renew the deal for one year.AFP contributed
