Kremlin makes demands: Russia threatens to end grain agreements

Kremlin makes demands
Russia threatens grain deal

Just a few days ago, Russia and Ukraine extended the important grain deal. Moscow is now threatening to drop the agreement – and is demanding relief for Russian fertilizer exports.

The agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain was recently extended by 60 days – now Russia is again threatening to end it. As a condition for a longer-term continuation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow once again named easing of Russian fertilizer exports and the resumption of technology and spare parts deliveries in the agricultural sector. “Without progress in meeting these requirements (…) our participation in the Black Sea Initiative will be suspended,” it said.

The agreement on the Black Sea Grains Initiative came about in July 2022, mediated by the United Nations and Turkey. Among other things, it provides for the release of Ukrainian ports and a corridor in the Black Sea for grain exports.

Russia had blocked Ukrainian grain exports for months after the start of its war of aggression on February 24, 2022. According to UN figures, 25 million tons of grain have been exported to 45 countries since the start of the agreement. The agreement has therefore helped to stabilize markets and lower food prices. The agreement was extended by at least two months last weekend.

Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin also spoke explicitly of the fact that the initiative could now burst again. In that case, Russia will export grain to African countries for free, he said at a virtual Russia-Africa conference. Putin, who himself ordered the war against Ukraine more than a year ago, keeps trying to give the impression that he is primarily concerned with the well-being of poorer countries, which are said to have benefited too little from the grain agreement. Russia repeatedly threatens to drop the agreement, citing, among other things, that its own exports of grain and fertilizer are further hampered by Western sanctions.

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