Media: US discusses alternative ways to export grain with Turkey and Ukraine

The United States is negotiating with Turkey, Ukraine and neighboring countries to create alternative routes for the export of Ukrainian grain. About it informs The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing unnamed officials.

The plan involves an increase in exports to 4 million tons of grain per month by October, the newspaper writes. According to the WSJ, the products will be sent along the Danube River and across the Black Sea to the nearest ports in Romania, and then to other destinations.

One of the newspaper’s interlocutors said that the United States is considering all potential options, including “military solutions”, to protect ships going to Ukrainian ports on the Danube. He did not specify which options he was talking about and which countries intended to join them.

The sources noted that along with the development of alternative routes, Turkey and the UN are making efforts to return Russia to the implementation of the deal. The interlocutors of the newspaper claim that pressure is being exerted on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to resume the deal before early September, when the harvested grain begins to accumulate in Ukraine’s warehouses.

Commenting on the WSJ publication, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh emphasizedthat Washington “does not seek war with Russia.” She added that the US does not have “any means” in the Black Sea.

The grain deal was concluded on July 22, 2022 by representatives of Turkey and the UN on the one hand and representatives of Russia and Ukraine on the other. As part of the negotiations, two agreements were signed between Moscow and Kiev. The first is for the export of Ukrainian grain from three ports, including Odessa, Yuzhny and Chornomorsk, the second is for assistance in the export of Russian grain and fertilizers.

The Russian authorities have repeatedly pointed out the non-fulfillment of part of the agreements relating to the Russian Federation. Despite this, the deal was repeatedly extended. On July 17, 2023, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Initiative. Russian President Vladimir Putin at the same time pointed outthat the deal could be resumed if Russia’s demands are met.