Russia ready to extend grain agreement, but only for 60 days
The Russian delegation, after negotiations with high-ranking UN officials, on Monday, 13 March, announced the admissibility of extending the grain agreement, but only for 60 days.
Source: European Pravda with a reference to the statement of Sergey Vershinin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Quote: "The Russian side does not object to another extension of the Black Sea Initiative after the end of the second term on 18 March, but only for 60 days, emphasising the ‘package’ nature of the Istanbul agreements proposed by UN Secretary-General Guterres," the statement said.
Details: Vershinin said that the further position of the Russian Federation will be determined "depending on the real, not in words, but in actions, progress in our agricultural export normalisation, including bank payments, transport logistics, insurance, the ‘unfreezing’ of financial activities and the supply of ammonia through the Tolyatti-Odesa pipeline."
According to Vershinin, the conversation with the representatives of the UN confirmed that "if the commercial export of Ukrainian products is carried out at a steady pace, bringing considerable profit to Kyiv, then there are still barriers in the way of Russian agricultural exporters."
"The sanctions withdrawals for food and fertilisers declared by Washington, Brussels and London do not work in practice," said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Background: The grain agreement was signed for the first time through the mediation of the UN and Turkey in July of last year for a 120-days period. It allowed the transportation of Ukrainian agricultural products across the Black Sea to the world market.
In November, the agreement was extended for another 120 days. The agreement expires on 18 March.
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Sunday, 12 March, that he believes in extending the agreement beyond 18 March.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, during his visit to Kyiv, also spoke in favour of continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
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