The United States supports the efforts of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to return Ukrainian grain to the international market amid war, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Monday, Voice of America reports..

“He told us about his plans and discussions on this issue with Ukrainians and Russians,” Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters, without giving details..

After visiting Moscow and Kyiv late last month, Guterres said he was determined to help bring Ukrainian agricultural products back to world markets, as well as food and fertilizer from Russia and Belarus, despite the war..

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that Guterres asked Russia to allow the shipment of Ukrainian grain in exchange for steps to help ease Russian and Belarusian potash exports..

Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric declined to comment.. The Russian Mission to the UN in New York has not yet responded to a Reuters request for comment..

[see_also ids\u003d"

The February 24 Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a sharp increase in world prices for grain, vegetable oil, fuel and fertilizers.. UN Secretary-General warns that this will exacerbate the food crisis in poor countries.

[see_also ids\u003d"

Ukraine and Russia together account for almost a third of world wheat supplies. Ukraine is also a major exporter of corn, barley, sunflower and rapeseed oil, while Russia and Belarus account for over 40% of global potash exports..

The war also disrupted shipping in the Black Sea, which led to the cessation of exports from Ukraine and Russia.. Exports from Ukraine are now carried out by rail and through small ports on the Danube River.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Ukraine, in May, grain exports more than halved compared to the same period last year..

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield noted that the United States did not impose sanctions on Russian agricultural products.

Antonio Guterres said 36 countries rely on Ukraine and Russia for wheat supplies, including some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.