The Russian Foreign Ministry statement did not say whether Moscow is ready to resume the Black Sea initiative agreed in July, which allowed Ukraine to resume grain exports. The deal expires on November 19.
The United Nations reports that 10 million tons of grain and other foodstuffs have been exported from Ukraine in accordance with the deal, which has helped prevent a global food crisis.
Russia has repeatedly complained that its shipments of grain and fertilizers, while not directly targeted by Western sanctions, are effectively being blocked as the sanctions restrict shippers’ access to finance, insurance and ports.
Moscow said in a statement that shipments of Ukrainian grain and Russia’s “normalization” of agricultural exports are part of a single package of measures to ensure global food security.
A November 11 United Nations statement said that participants “continue to implement the Black Sea Grain Initiative and have had constructive discussions about its continuation.”
Ukraine, which Russia invaded on Feb. 24, has accused Moscow of playing “hunger games” with the world. Russian warships have blocked access to Ukrainian ports until the July deal goes into effect.
Russia briefly suspended its participation in the deal on Oct. 29 after an attack on its navy in Sevastopol, but returned to it just four days after a decision by President Vladimir Putin brokered by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
