RIA Novosti reported a deadlock in negotiations on a grain deal

Negotiations to extend the UN-led grain deal have stalled. About it write RIA Novosti, citing a source familiar with the negotiations.

“The negotiation process on the part of Turkey and the UN did not stop, various initiatives and options are being proposed. But a deadlock has been created, when it is not clear whether the initiative will be continued, whether guarantees will be received for the release of Russian agricultural products and ammonia to world markets,” the statement said.

According to the source, it is necessary to resolve all the difficulties that have arisen in the negotiation process in a short time. Contacts at the highest level can contribute to this, he specified.

On February 28, it became known that Ukraine applied to Turkey and the UN with a request to start negotiations on extending the grain deal. Earlier in Kyiv declared about plans to extend the initiative for a year and include the export of grain from the ports of Nikolaev. An insurance industry source told Reuters that the inclusion of Nikolaev in the deal would speed up the departure of 60 ships stuck in Ukrainian ports. According to the interlocutor, there are about 26 ships in the city’s ports.

On July 22, 2022, representatives of Turkey and the UN signed separate agreements with representatives of Russia and Ukraine on the export of Ukrainian grain from three ports, including Odessa, as well as on assistance in the export of Russian grain and fertilizers. The deal was calculated until November 18, later it was extended. The grain deal expires March 18.

The Russian authorities have repeatedly accused the West of non-compliance with the second part of the agreement, which concerns the memorandum between Russia and the UN. The UN continues to say that they are working to remove restrictions that hinder the export of Russian grain and fertilizers, but no tangible results have been reported in this area.