Russia decided to quit the international deal that provides for the export of cereals from Ukraine over the Black Sea, as announced by Russian President’s press-secretary Dmitry Peskov. The grain deal that was extended multiple times ended on Monday, the 17th of July.
The “grain deal’s” conditions are effectively over. The deal is on hold, announced Peskov.
He did add, however, that Russia will return to the grain deal without hesitation once conditions related to it have been met.
On Monday, the 17th of July, Russia informed Turkey and Ukraine, as well as the UN Secretariat, about the country’s objections to the extension of the grain deal, as Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs press-secretary Maria Zakharova told Russian media RIA Novosti.
Ukraine and Russia, through mediation from Turkey, signed an agreement with the UN on the 22nd of July about the recovery of exports of Ukrainian agricultural goods over the Black Sea, which was previously ceased following the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This deal allowed Ukraine to send more than 32 million tonnes of grains past Russian warships in the Black Sea.
According to various media, the European Union considers conceding to the Russian bank over the grain deal. This is about restoring SWIFT connection to Rosselkhozbank through its subsidiary, as reported by Ukrainian internet news site Ukrainska pravda.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin still wants to extend the international grain deal.
“I believe Russian President Putin wants this humanitarian bridge to remain, despite [Russia’s] today’s announcement,” he told journalists in Istanbul about the Black Sea grain corridor deal.
According to Erdogan, he and Putin will have discussions before August’s expected Russian leader’s visit to Turkey.
The agreement to extend the grain deal could be achieved before Putin’s visit, said Erdogan, adding that negotiations are already underway.
Also read: Russia takes over Danone and Carlsberg assets