Zakharova: negotiations on the extension of the grain deal with the participation of Russia were not conducted

Negotiations on the extension of the grain deal with the participation of Russian representatives were not conducted, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in response to a question from journalists. Her answer published on the website of the ministry.

Zakharova recalled that the second 120-day deal expires on March 18. “Negotiations on this score, especially with the participation of Russian representatives, were not conducted,” she said.

The official representative of the Foreign Ministry clarified that the position of the Russian side regarding the deal has not changed – both parts of the “package” proposal of UN Secretary General António Guterres must be implemented.

“We state that only the Ukrainian part has been effectively implemented so far, Russian agricultural exports continue to be blocked as a result of Western unilateral sanctions,” Zakharova said.

The official representative added that on March 13, the next round of consultations of the Russian delegation with the Secretary General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebecca Greenspan and the head of the World Organization for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, who oversees the Russia-UN memorandum under the grain deal, will be held in Geneva .

On March 7, Reuters, citing an official in the Ukrainian government, announced the start of negotiations on a grain deal between Kiev and the UN. The source noted that Ukraine does not negotiate directly with Russia. On March 8, Guterres arrived in Kyiv, where he discussed with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky the continuation of the implementation of the terms of the deal. During the meeting, Guterres called for an extension of the agreement.

March 9 Zakharova statedthat in case of non-fulfillment of the part of the grain deal relating to the export of Russian grain and fertilizers, the forecast for its extension will be pessimistic.

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 with a subsequent extension for 120 days.