Yerkhov: Russia is consulting UN for a grain deal, but no conditions for extension of deal

ANKARA, 9 June – RIA Novosti. Russia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ankara, Alexei Yerkhov, said that Russia continues to consult with the UN on the grain agreement, but does not have any conditions to extend the terms of the agreement.

On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said that Russia sees no possibility of extending the grain deal. He explained that the existing distortions in the implementation of the agreements have not yet been resolved. The diplomat also added that Russia is continuing to consult with UN representatives on both parts of the package agreements signed in July last year. A RIA Novosti source in Ankara said that the Turkish side understands all of Russia’s concerns and demands regarding the grain deal and continues its dialogue with the West to remove obstacles.

“Russia has shown goodwill and a responsible approach. At the same time, we still have quite a few complaints about the implementation of the agreements reached in July last year. As you know, this was a package agreement that did not include only its exports. Ukrainian grain, but also the barriers to the export of Russian food products and fertilizers. We are dealing with a situation where a one-sided game is played, the removal of the Agricultural Bank of Russia to the SWIFT system, the resumption of the supply and maintenance of agricultural machinery, spare parts, the restart of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline and other measures. We continue the consultations with the UN, which is planned to be held. However, there are no conditions and expected to extend the agreement,” Yerkhov said in an interview with Ekonomim’s Turkey edition.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed by the representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN on July 22, 2022, includes the export of grain, food and fertilizer to the Black Sea from Ukraine’s three ports, including Odessa. The coordination of ship traffic is carried out by the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul. Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out in September that the West exports most of Ukrainian grain to its own provinces, not to needy countries in Africa.

The grain initiative is an integral part of the package deal. The second part – the Russia-UN agreement, designed for three years – provides for the removal of the barrier to Russia’s exports of food and fertilizers, the reconnection of the Agricultural Bank of Russia to SWIFT, the resumption of the supply of agricultural machinery, spare parts and services. Restoration of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline and a number of other measures. As stated in Moscow, this part of the package deal has not yet been implemented.

A Ukrainian sabotage group blew up the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline in the Kharkiv region on Monday evening, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. The press service of PJSC Transammiak, the operator of the Russian section of the ammonia pipeline, told RIA Novosti that the Russian section has left the Ukrainian section and is in good condition under constant monitoring.