The Kremlin on Tuesday said it was impossible for Russia to return to the Black Sea grain export deal until an agreement related to Russian interests was honoured, rejecting calls by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for Moscow to return to the pact.
Guterres on Monday called on Russia to again allow Ukraine to safely export grain from its seaports despite what Russia calls a “special military operation,” in line with a proposal he made to President Vladimir Putin.
But the Kremlin has suggested Guterres’ proposal doesn’t address its main complaint: that there has been no progress on a related deal designed to ease Russian food and fertilizer exports amid Western sanctions imposed in response to the war.
“Mr. Guterres’ letter still outlined some kind of action plan and contained promises that at some point it would be possible to implement the Russian part of these agreements,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to go back to the agreement because (the Russia agreement) is not being implemented and, in fact, has never been implemented.”
Peskov said Putin had made it clear, however, that Moscow would be ready to resume the deal when the Russia-related memorandum is respected.
The deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last July, was meant to help avert a global food crisis by allowing war-locked grain to be exported safely to Ukraine.
Peskov said it will be important for Russia to discuss grain supplies with African countries at the Russia-Africa summit on Thursday and Friday.
Russia has talked about the possibility of providing cheap or free grain to poorer nations in Africa.
Source: Terra
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