Grain exports agreement: Russia petitions UN on implementation

Russia has submitted a letter containing complaints about the implementation of the Black Sea grain exports agreement to the United Nations.

Gennady Gatilov, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, said Russia is prepared to reject renewing the deal next month unless its demands are addressed.

“If we see nothing is happening on the Russian side of the deal – export of Russian grains and fertilisers – then excuse us, we will have to look at it in a different way,” he said.

Asked if Russia might withhold support for the grains deal’s renewal over the concerns, he said: “There is a possibility…We are not against deliveries of grains but this deal should be equal, it should be fair and fairly implemented by all sides.”

U.N. officials are due in Moscow on Sunday to discuss the renewal of the agreement.

Also Read: Putin seeks review of Ukraine grain deal

U.N. speokesperson Stephane Dujarric said: “We remain in constant touch with Russian officials, as well as with officials from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States in order to remove the last obstacles to facilitate the export of Russian grain and fertiliser.”

He said Guterres was committed to those efforts and to having an extended and expanded Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The agreement, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July, paved the way for Ukraine to resume grain exports from Black Sea ports that had been shut since Russia invaded.

Moscow won guarantees for its own grain and fertiliser exports.

The agreement helped stave off a global food crisis: Russia and Ukraine are two of the world’s biggest grain exporters and Russia is the number one fertiliser exporter.

Moscow has repeatedly complained about its implementation, arguing it still faces difficulty selling fertiliser and food.

Zainab Sa’id