Washington welcomed Moscow's return to the Ukrainian grain export agreement and called for its extension.

Russia had announced on Wednesday that it would resume its participation in the grain export agreement from war-torn Ukraine after suspending it earlier in the week, a move that threatened to worsen global hunger.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it received written guarantees from Kyiv not to use the Black Sea grain corridor in military operations against Russia.

The ministry's statement said, "The Russian Federation considers the guarantees it has received at this time apparently sufficient and will resume the implementation of the agreement."

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu informed his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar that the agreement reached on July 22 mediated by Turkey and the United Nations will resume as of midday Wednesday.

Erdoğan added, "Grain transport will continue as agreed starting from 12:00 noon today."

Sources involved in grain exports told Reuters that ships continued to transport Ukrainian grain through the corridor despite the suspension, but this is unlikely to last long because insurance companies have not issued new contracts due to Russia's decision.

Guterres welcomes Russia's return to the Ukrainian grain export agreement via the Black Sea

UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said that the Secretary-General of the international organization, António Guterres, welcomed on Wednesday Russia's resumption of its participation in the Ukrainian grain export agreement via the Black Sea, and that he continues to make efforts to extend the agreement which could expire on November 19.

Dujarric said, "The Secretary-General continues his contacts with the parties for the extension and full implementation of the initiative, and he remains committed to removing obstacles to Russian grain and fertilizer exports."