The Kremlin is considering withdrawing from the grain deal

Russia is thinking about withdrawing from the grain deal. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with military commanders.

“We are now thinking about getting out of this grain deal. Moreover, these corridors, along which the ships go, are constantly used by the enemy to launch drones, marine drones, ” clarified President (quote from RIA Novosti).

According to the president, Russia is ready to deliver to the poorest countries for free the volume of grain that came from Ukraine. Putin clarified that Russia is participating in the deal not for the sake of Ukraine, but for the sake of the poorest countries. About 3.5% of grain went to the latter, more than 40% is supplied to the EU countries, the Russian leader cited the data.

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. Separate agreements were concluded with Moscow and Kiev: the first was for the export of Ukrainian grain from three ports, including Odessa, Yuzhny and Chernomorsk, and the second was for assistance in the export of Russian grain and fertilizers. Moscow has repeatedly noted that the second part of the deal is not being implemented.

10 June Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Vershinin declaredthat the decision on the grain deal will be made only on the basis of the interests of the Russian side. He made such a statement following negotiations with the UN. Vershinin also said that the UN was unable to convince the European Union to reconnect Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT payment system.

The situation with the extension of the grain initiative can be complicated by the explosion of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline in the Masyutovka region of the Kharkov region. Such a statement did Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov on June 8.