Russia will itself supply grain to the poorest countries if the grain deal is completed – Kommersant

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he sees no reason to extend the grain deal, which expires on July 18. According to him, if the agreement is terminated, Russia will provide grain supplies to the poorest countries at its own expense.

“I don’t see what arguments those who would like to continue this Black Sea initiative have, because, as I said, it has long become commercial in terms of Ukrainian grain,” Mr. Lavrov said at a briefing (quoted by TASS).

According to him, if the deal is terminated, the export of Russian agricultural products will not suffer. Sergey Lavrov added that the export of Russian grain and fertilizers continues.

“In the event of the termination of the Black Sea initiative, we will ensure the supply of a comparable or larger consignment of grain to the poorest countries at our own expense, free of charge,”— said Mr Lavrov.

In May, Russia extended the grain deal concluded in the summer of 2022 with Ukraine with the participation of the UN and Turkey. It involves opening ports in Ukraine for the export of agricultural products, as well as unblocking the export of food and fertilizers from the Russian Federation. For a further extension, Moscow requires the Rosselkhozbank to be reconnected to SWIFT. The European Union refused to do so. Russian Foreign Ministry saidthat July 18 will be the time for the completion of the transaction. Also in the Kremlin declaredthat do not see the prerequisites for extending the deal.

About the grain deal – in the publication “Kommersant” “Wheat floats on”.

Olesya Pavlenko