Four more grain ships leave Ukraine as hopes grow for export stability

Four more ships carrying grain and sunflower oil have left Ukraine ports via a safe maritime corridor.

Millions of tonnes of grain have been stuck in Ukraine due to Russian blockades, leading to shortages and higher food prices in other countries.

But last week the first ship left Ukraine's ports since February.

The latest ships to set sail is bound for Turkey where they'll be inspected as part of a deal reached with Russia and the United Nations.

The success of this deal, a rare diplomatic breakthrough in this five-month-old conflict, is vital for Ukraine - and the rest of the world.

Twenty million tonnes of grain are stuck in the country, as a result of the blockade imposed by Russia on Ukrainian ports. If the deal holds, Ukraine expects to export up to three million tonnes of grain per month.

[Source: BBC]