The spokesperson for the US National Security Council, John Kirby, said today, Tuesday, that about 80 ships are ready to leave Ukrainian ports.

According to the American network "CNBC", Kirby said, “The ships are expected to carry about 20 million tons of grain.”

Last week, representatives from the United Nations, Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement to reopen three Ukrainian ports, as the Russian-Ukrainian war enters its fifth month.

The agreement comes after a siege that lasted months for dozens of Ukrainian ports scattered along the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.

Less than 24 hours after signing the agreement, Russian missiles rained on Odessa, Ukraine's largest port.

On his side, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said today, Tuesday, that the grain deal has come into effect, announcing that the first grain-loaded ship will soon leave the Ukrainian ports.

Akar said: "Work on the grain deal has already started. The first grain-loaded ship will leave the Ukrainian port soon."