The Russian Foreign Ministry said they agreed to extend the grain deal for such a short period of time due to some “obstacles” for Russia that prevent the export of agricultural products.
The Russian delegation, after negotiations with high-ranking UN officials, said that Moscow agreed to continue the “grain deal”, but only for 60 days. This is stated in a statement by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Vershinin.
Thus, the statement says that the Russian side does not object to the next continuation of the Black Sea initiative after the deadline on March 18, 2023. However, only for 60 days, and not for 120 because of some “obstacles” for Russia, which prevent the export of agricultural products.
Vershinin also spoke about Russia’s plans for future participation in the Black Sea deal.
“Our further position will be determined depending on the real, not in words, but in deeds, progress towards the normalization of our agricultural exports,” the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation noted.
According to him, we are talking about bank payments, transport logistics, insurance, “unfreezing” of financial activities, as well as the supply of ammonia through the Togliatti-Odessa pipeline.
Ukraine’s reaction
Ukraine has already reacted to the statement of the Russian side. Thus, the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov in his Twitter wrote that, according to the agreements, the Black Sea Grain Deal is extended for 120 days. Therefore, the proposal of the Russian Federation to extend the initiative for 60 days is contrary to the agreement.
“We are waiting for the official position of the UN and Turkey as guarantors of the initiative,” Kubrakov wrote.
Black Sea Grain Initiative
The documents of the Black Sea Initiative with Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the UN were signed in Istanbul on July 22, 2022. The July agreement created procedures for the safe export of grain from designated ports to try to resolve the food crisis.
Recall that the media reported that the EU extended personal sanctions against the Russian Federation for six months. The sanctions imposed against almost 1,500 individuals and 205 legal entities from Russia have been extended by the EU countries for another six months.
We also recall that Belgorod-Dniester port was sold in Ukraine. The winner of the auction for the sale of the Belgorod-Dniester port has 20 working days to pay the cost of the lot. Only after the receipt of funds in the budget, a contract of sale is signed.
