Russia extends wheat deal by 60 days, wants to see progress on concerns

Russia has notified all parties to the Black Sea wheat deal that the deal has been extended for 60 days and reiterated it will not consider another extension until its concerns are resolved, it said Saturday Moscow.

Earlier, Turkey and the United Nations said the deal had been extended, but did not specify for how long. A Ukrainian government minister said it would last 120 days.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova sent a copy of a letter from Russia’s permanent representation to the United Nations saying Moscow would not oppose extending the deal by 60 days until May 18.

“Russian consideration of a further extension of the (agreement) after the indicated date will be possible only if there is tangible progress” made on the issue of Russian food and fertilizer exports, he said.

Russia says that while these exports have not been explicitly targeted by the West, sanctions on its payments, logistics and insurance industries are creating barriers.

Source: Terra