Istanbul, 3 November 2022 (dpa/MIA) - A total of six grain-loaded vessels have left Ukraine's Black Sea ports since Moscow ended its suspension of a deal allowing such exports, Turkish Defence Minister said on Thursday. "Six ships have left Ukrainian ports since the grain initiative was resumed," Hulusi Akar said in Ankara, according to his ministry's website. This brings the total number of vessels from Ukraine to 426 - carrying a more than 9.7 million tons of grain - since the July agreement brokered by Turkey and the UN was put in place, according to Akar. The deal expires on July 19. Turkey hopes the grain agreement will help "open the path to a ceasefire and peace," the Turkish minister said. Moscow reversed its suspension of the deal after a Ukrainian guarantee not to use the sea corridor for hostilities against Russia was obtained under Turkish mediation.