Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin says the “grain deal” across the Black Sea aims to prevent a global food crisis by allowing the safe export of grain.
On July 17, the Black Sea Grain Initiative expired
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin revealed today, Tuesday, that there are currently no talks on resuming the grain export agreement through the Black Sea.
The Russian agency “Sputnik” quoted Vershinin as saying that the agreement, which was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, in July last year, aims to prevent a global food crisis by allowing the safe export of grain after the military operation in Ukraine.
Vershinin’s words came a week after Russia announced a halt to the implementation of the Ukrainian grain export deal across the Black Sea, while international contacts continue to obtain Russia’s approval to extend the agreement, amid Washington’s warnings to Moscow of the repercussions of withdrawing from the agreement.
On July 17, the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which stipulated the creation of a humanitarian corridor to allow the export of Ukrainian grain over the past year, expired, as Russia did not extend its participation.
The agreement is part of a package of agreements, which includes that Western countries not obstruct Russian exports of food and fertilizers. Moscow indicated that this commitment was not fully fulfilled, stressing that Western countries impeded the export of Russian grain to countries in need of it, while there were assurances from the United Nations that the restrictions would be lifted.
Yesterday, Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Moscow is able to replace Ukrainian grain on the global market, whether on a commercial basis or for free.
The last ship to transport grain under the aforementioned agreement left, on July 16, the port of Odessa in southwestern Ukraine. Under the agreement, Ukraine exported more than 32 million tons of corn, wheat and other grains.
Russia has not agreed to register any new ships since the 27th of last month.
And on March 13, Russia agreed to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative for a period of 60 days, to give the participating parties during this time the opportunity to take concrete steps to solve problems related to the implementation of Russia’s part of the agreement.
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2023-07-25 09:04:00
