June 19, 2023
2 mins read

Russia signals intention to pull out of Black Sea grain deal

The initial agreement lasted for 120 days, but was extended several times since then. It’s now set to expire on July 17…reports Asian Lite News

The deal allowing Ukrainian grain to be exported via the Black Sea has “no chance” of being extended, after it lapses in mid July, as things stand at the moment, a top Russian official said on Sunday.

Russia has “shown goodwill several times, made concessions” and extended the agreement, but what was promised to Moscow as part of the deal still hasn’t been fulfilled, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Izvestia newspaper, RT reported.

“It’s hardly possible to predict some sort of a final decision here, but we can only state that – judging de facto by the status that we now have – this deal has no chance.

“The deal implies deeds; deeds on the part of the contracting states or organisations. And one part of this deal was done, and the second part, which related to (promises made to) Russia, was never done,” he contended.

The deal, brokered by the UN and Turkey, was signed in July 2022 and provided for the safe shipment of Ukrainian grain though Black Sea corridors in exchange for the US and EU removing obstacles to exports of Russian food products and fertilisers. The West has claimed that it never restricted those items, but Moscow has argued that it still couldn’t supply them to foreign buyers due to shipping, insurance and brokerage sanctions, which were imposed on Moscow over its conflict with Kiev.

The initial agreement lasted for 120 days, but was extended several times since then. It’s now set to expire on July 17.

Speaking to a delegation of African leaders in St. Petersburg on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that “the supply of Ukrainian grain to world markets doesn’t solve the problems of African countries in need of food”.

Despite the West promising that the deal would help the poorest nations, only 3.1 per cent of the shipments of Ukrainian grain have ended up in Africa, with 38.9 per cent of them going to the EU, he said.

Earlier this week, Putin said Moscow “was thinking about exiting this grain deal” because nothing had been done to facilitate Russia’s food and fertiliser exports. He also said safety corridors in the Black Sea had been used by Ukraine to launch naval drones.

ALSO READ-UN chief welcomes Russian decision to extend Black Sea grain deal

Previous Story

Lanka grants over 100 EV import permits to migrant workers

Next Story

Pak looks for $4B from friends if IMF deal fails

Latest from -Top News

UK reimposes UN sanctions on Iran

London triggers snapback mechanism with France and Germany, restoring strict UN measures targeting Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes…reports Asian Lite News The United Kingdom has reinstated sweeping United Nations sanctions on Iran,

Wedding Set Free

Government unveils sweeping marriage law reforms to modernise ceremonies, boost inclusivity and deliver a £535m lift to the economy…reports Asian Lite News In what is being billed as the biggest shake-up of

UK Govt announces major AI plans at G20

Britain partners with Canada, Google and African institutions to drive safe, inclusive and locally grounded artificial intelligence…reports Asian Lite News The government has unveiled a series of new projects to support responsible

UK announces $36 mn support Rohingya refugees

Britain pledges fresh support for Myanmar’s displaced as UN warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in Rakhine and refugee camps in Bangladesh…reports Asian Lite News The United Kingdom has pledged an additional $36

Storm Amy upgraded to amber warning

Met Office issues amber warning as Scotland braces for power cuts, flooding and major travel disruption…reports Asian Lite News Scotland is bracing itself for the full force of Storm Amy after the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Russia Shells Ukraine, Five Lives Lost

The Russian military said that it does not target civilians

Scholz calls on Russia to work toward ‘just peace’   

Scholz will next week host French President Emmanuel Macron for