It is noted that such an initiative of Istanbul is the first joint action of the Black Sea states after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It aims to defuse mines that are drifting in parts of the Black Sea due to the war.

"Russia and Ukraine are key grain producers and the war has jeopardized the safe passage of cargo. Kyiv launched its own Black Sea export route last year after the collapse of a safe corridor agreement backed by Russia, Turkey and the United Nations. It has successfully boosted exports and helped the economy grow faster than forecast, but the route remains risky", Bloomberg writes.

Since the sea corridor opened in August 2023, Ukraine has exported 37.4 million tons of agro-products from Odessa, Chernomorsk and the port of Yuzhny.

The publication notes that Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria are NATO members, but their forces are managed outside the Alliance. Among their reasons is to avoid escalation with Russia.

• On Jan. 11, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania, after months of negotiations, signed an agreement on a joint plan to clear the Black Sea of mines.