UPDATE: Source: Safe corridor for ships with Ukrainian grain to open soon

(Adds last two paragraphs)

ISTANBUL, Jul 22 (PRIME) -- A safe corridor for ships with Ukrainian grain in the Black Sea will begin to operate in the coming weeks, a source close to talks in Istanbul told PRIME on Friday.

“We hope that it will happen in the coming weeks,” the source said, adding that guarantees have been received.

A spokesperson for the Turkish presidential administration told PRIME on Thursday that a Ukraine grain agreement will be signed in Istanbul on Friday. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will attend the ceremony, the person added.

The source said that the passage of ships will be controlled by a monitoring group under the aegis of the U.N.

“Compliance with the security rules will be monitored by the U.N. monitoring group in Istanbul, the group is ready to work,” the source said.

The process of preparing to sign the document was complicated, Russia showed a very constructive approach, the source also said.

The source also said that violation of the agreements on the grain issue will result in a disaster, adding that Turkey has received guarantees from the negotiators that the agreements will not be used for military purposes.

Turkish TV channel A Haber reported citing sources close to the talks that Russia had raised the issue of lifting sanctions on insurance and ship maintenance.

“Russia also said that the sanctions imposed against Russian ship in insurance and maintenance should be lifted,” A Haber reported.

End