The US State Department called on Russia to extend the grain deal

The US State Department urged Russia to “comply with and expand” the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

“Russia must respect and expand the Black Sea Grain Initiative,” the ministry said in a tweet posted on its Twitter account. Also in its message, the State Department accused the Russian side of allegedly delaying the export of grain.

In the Kremlin, earlier declaredthat the Russian part of the agreements on the grain deal is still not being implemented, and therefore there are no grounds for its extension. The official decision of the Russian authorities has not yet been announced. The last time the grain deal was extended in May until July 17.

The 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. Moscow has repeatedly noted that the second part of the deal is not being implemented.

Today, July 6, Turkish TV channel Ahaber informedthat on July 7, the presidents of Ukraine and Turkey, Vladimir Zelensky and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will hold talks, where they can discuss the extension of the agreement on grain.