UN Secretary-General

has proposed easing restrictions on the export of potash fertilizers from Belarus and Russia, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing sources.

US Permanent Representative to the UN

has confirmed that talks are already under way, including with Turkey, which could take part in demining ports and providing maritime traffic.

As a result, concluding such a deal could alleviate the impending food crisis.

The UN fears that rising grain prices and food shortages could destabilize the situation in poor Ukrainian grain-dependent countries and lead to conflict.

A meeting of the UN Security Council with the participation of US Secretary of State

will be held on May 19 to discuss issues of Ukrainian agricultural products on the world market.

Moscow is a serious obstacle to allowing grain exports.

Russia has dramatically expanded its maritime presence and influence in the Black Sea, using a base in Crimea to capture the entire peninsula in Ukraine in 2014, capturing the port of Mariupol in recent weeks and blocking Odessa, Ukraine’s largest port.

Moscow also has a veto power as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, so the Council is unlikely to adopt a resolution aimed at freeing Ukrainian grain exports, current and former officials say.

"I don't think it's wise at this point to send NATO or US-flagged ships to escort," said Admiral

, former commander of the Navy's Sixth Fleet and now dean of the Strategy Naval Center in the Navy League. USA.

"If the Russians do not want you to do this, and it is against their interests, they will not allow ships to pass," Foga said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.