The UN-chartered vessel MV Valsamitis is loaded to deliver 25,000 tonnes of Ukrainian wheat to Kenya and 5,000 tonnes to Ethiopia, at the port of Chornomorsk, east of Odessa on the Black Sea coast, on February 18, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

GENEVA – Negotiations began on Monday between UN officials and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin on a possible extension to a deal allowing the safe export of grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports, the Russian diplomatic mission in Geneva said.

The Black Sea grain initiative, brokered between Russia and Ukraine by the United Nations and Türkiye last July, aimed to prevent a global food crisis by allowing Ukrainian grain blockaded by Russia's special military operation to be safely exported from three Ukrainian ports.

The deal, which was extended for 120 days in November, is up for renewal on March 18.

Moscow has already signaled it will only agree to an extension if restrictions affecting its own exports are lifted, but many diplomats and senior officials, including Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, are optimistic that the deal will be renewed

Moscow has already signaled it will only agree to an extension if restrictions affecting its own exports are lifted, but many diplomats and senior officials, including Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, are optimistic that the deal will be renewed.

ALSO READ: UN, Ukraine call for extension of Black Sea Grain Initiative

Russian officials say that although the country's agricultural exports have not been explicitly targeted by the West, sanctions on its payments, logistics and insurance industries have created a barrier for it being able to export its own grains and fertilizers.

United Nations trade official Rebeca Grynspan and aid chief Martin Griffiths arrived at the UN European headquarters in Geneva on Monday morning, without making a comment.

Two sources involved with the talks said they were initially scheduled to last just one day but could be extended as needed.

News of the talks led to a fall in wheat and corn prices. Ukraine is a major exporter of both grains.

"Wheat and corn markets are weaker today as the talks start about extending the safe shipping agreement for Ukraine’s exports," said Matt Ammermann, StoneX commodity risk manager.

READ MORE: Russia to renew grain deal if own exports unblocked

"As such a large wheat and corn exporter, Ukraine’s supplies are vital to world markets."

Wheat prices on the Chicago Board of Trade were down 0.9 percent at $6.73-3/4 a bushel at 1152 GMT while corn futures had fallen 1 percent to $6.11-1/4 a bushel.

"I think there are expectations in grain markets that the agreement will be extended with the deadline now only a few days away," Ammermann said.

"Russia and Ukraine will probably not get all that they want, but I think importing countries will have been lobbying behind the scenes to get the shipping agreement extended."