The invasion of Ukraine has threatened the lives of people far from the front lines. They have seen Russian forces block millions of tons of grain from leaving ports on the Black Sea.

Now, mediators from the United Nations and Turkey have helped strike a deal to free up the shipments and avoid global starvation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea. A beacon of hope, a beacon of possibility. A beacon of relief in a world that needs it more than ever."

Guterres says the agreement will allow ships to come and go from three key ports, including Odesa.
An agency will be set up in Istanbul to help implement the deal.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, "Given the significant share of Russian and Ukrainian agricultural products on global markets, ensuring their uninterrupted export meets the urgent tasks of maintaining food security, especially for developing and least-developed countries."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also optimistic and sees the agreement as another sign that his country can withstand the war.

He said the deal offers a chance to reduce the severity of the food crisis.

He said about 20 million tons of grain will be exported, worth 10 billion dollars.

But he warned against Russian provocation and attempts to discredit Ukrainian and international efforts.

The deal is just temporary. The two sides will review it in 120 days.

They have agreed, during that time, to stop attacks against port facilities and cargo ships.

But the Ukrainian military says Russian missiles hit targets in Odesa on Saturday.

US Ambassador to Kyiv Bridget Brink called the strike "outrageous." She said on Twitter that Russia hit the port city less than 24 hours after signing the agreement. She accused the Kremlin of continuing to weaponize food.