Russia accuses the US of avoiding responsibility under the Istanbul agreements

Anatoly Antonov, the Russian Federation’s ambassador to Washington, said the US administration was conducting an information campaign in an attempt to avoid responsibility for the problems that arose in connection with the Istanbul agreements. According to TASS, Antonov’s remarks, published on the telegram channel of the Russian diplomatic mission, noted that Washington is seeking to put pressure on developing countries to persuade Russia to return to the Black Sea Initiative grain deal.

The Ambassador stressed that such an information campaign is part of an attempt to distort the real situation and to divert responsibility for systemic failures in the work of the Istanbul agreements. Antonov noted that this is aimed at shifting the focus of attention of the general public from the fact that initially the export of grain from the territory of Ukraine did not meet the declared humanitarian goals.

The Ambassador stressed that the various proposals for the restoration of the Black Sea initiative are meaningless. Russia, as a responsible power, is interested in easing the burden of the poorest countries and has repeatedly made it clear, including at the highest level, that the door to the restoration of the grain deal remains open. He noted that the United States and its allies need not only in words but also in deeds to eliminate distortions in the implementation of agricultural agreements, including obstacles to the access of Russian agricultural exports to world markets.