Photo: Press Service of the President of Ukraine
Loading grain onto a ship in the port of Chernomorsk
In two months, Russia will evaluate the implementation of the agreement with the UN on unblocking the export of its agricultural products and fertilizers, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Russia is not opposed to extending the grain deal, but only for 60 days. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Vershinin after consultations with UN representatives in Geneva, TASS reports on Monday, March 13.
“The Russian side, noting the package nature of the Istanbul agreements proposed by UN Secretary General António Guterres, does not object to another extension of the Black Sea initiative after the expiration of the second term on March 18, but only for 60 days,” he said and admitted that the consultations in Geneva were not easy.
Vershinin added that in two months Russia will evaluate the implementation of the agreement with the UN on unblocking the export of its agricultural products and fertilizers to world markets.
“Our further position will be determined depending on the real – not in words, but in deeds – progress in terms of exports from Russia to the world market, as was discussed initially. We are talking about the removal of those restrictions that hinder our exports , and the implementation of those declared exceptions to the sanctions, which are so often talked about in Washington, Brussels and London,” the Russian diplomat added.
As you know, the grain deal was concluded in July 2022 and extended for 120 days in November. Her term expires this week – March 18. Ukraine is in favor of extending the deal immediately for a year and extending its operation to the port of Nikolaev.
Recall that Russia blocks the inspection of ships with grain in the Bosphorus. Because of this, in January, the export of Ukrainian agricultural products fell by 25% compared to December.
Last week in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky and UN Secretary-General António Guterres supported the extension of the grain deal.
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