Grain deal
Russia has repeatedly pointed out problems with the implementation of the part of the grain deal concerning Russian products. Russian President Vladimir Putin called this agreement a one-sided game, since nothing was done for Russia. On July 13, 2023, the Russian leader admitted that the deal could be suspended until Moscow’s conditions are met.
On July 17, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced the suspension of the grain deal. Russia will be able to return to it only if all the obligations that were given to the Russian Federation initially are fulfilled. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on July 19 that the UN has three months to implement the memorandum with Russia on the grain deal.
On July 19, Russian leader Vladimir Putin named the conditions necessary to resume the grain deal. Thus, within the framework of the Russian part of the initiative it is necessary:
- remove supplies of Russian grain and fertilizers to world markets from sanctions;
- remove all obstacles for Russian banks and financial institutions that service food supplies to the world market, including requiring their immediate connection to SWIFT settlements;
- resume supplies to Russia of spare parts and components for agricultural machinery and the fertilizer production industry;
- resolve issues with freight of ships and insurance of Russian food exports, ensure logistics of food supplies;
- restore the operation of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline, which “was blown up and destroyed by order of the Kyiv regime”;
- unlock Russian assets related to the agricultural industry.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed by representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN in July 2022 in Istanbul. The deal involved the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizers across the Black Sea, as well as the lifting of restrictions on the export of Russian food and fertilizers to world markets.
