Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that if the Russian part of the Istanbul “package” (grain deal) fails before July 17, then there will be no talk of extending it.
“Unfortunately, it (the grain deal) was signed on July 22, 2022,” Lavrov said at the 46th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization. The Istanbul “package” is currently being implemented only in the part for the export of Ukrainian food products. And the Russian part for the export “Russian ammonia is inactive. Now the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline has also been blown up.”
The Russian minister pointed out that so far there is no progress in the implementation of the memorandum between Russia and the UN, which is aimed at ensuring the real exemption of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers from illegal unilateral Western sanctions.
Lavrov added: “I must say again: if the Istanbul ‘package’ put forward by the UN Secretary General before July 17 does not work, then there can be no question of any further extension.”
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was considering withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement on grain exports, especially since Ukraine is using the corridor to carry out drone attacks.
It should be noted that the grain agreement was concluded at the initiative of Ankara between Russia, Ukraine and the UN and provides that Russia will allow the export of Ukrainian grain through the humanitarian corridor opened by the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, provided that Russian grain and fertilizers are allowed on the market.
Western sanctions act as an impediment to the implementation of the agreement, as the sanctioned countries have pledged not to restrict the movement of Russian exports of fertilizers, grains, oils and foodstuffs, while punishing insurance companies and shipping companies that deal with Russia.
Earlier, Russia announced the suspension of the registration of Ukrainian ships in ports until the launch of the ammonia pipeline, through which gaseous ammonia is exported through it to the European Union, and Moscow tried to launch it as part of the “grain deal”, but the Ukrainian side did not agree. Later, Kyiv forces blew up the pipeline, just 3 days after the announcement.
Source: RT + News