Infrastructure Minister of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov reacted to Russia’s decision to extend the grain deal for 60 days. The agreement provides for an automatic extension for 120 days in the absence of objections from the parties. Kyiv considers Moscow’s position to be contrary to the deal.
The grain deal was agreed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN in July 2022. It involves the opening of Ukrainian ports for the export of grain and the removal of obstacles to the export of Russian fertilizers and food.
“The agreement on the Black Sea Grain Initiative provides for an extension of at least 120 days, so Russia’s position on extending the agreement for only 60 days contradicts the document signed by Turkey and the UN,” Mr. Kubrakov wrote on Twitter.
According to the minister, Kyiv is waiting for the reaction of Turkey and the UN. The UN has already reported that they “took note of the statement made by the Russian Federation today on the extension of the Black Sea grain initiative for 60 days” (quoted from “Interfax”).
Russia’s decision on the grain deal was announced the day before, March 13, by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin. Moscow stands for the “package nature” of the Istanbul agreements and promises next time to proceed from whether the export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to world markets will be unblocked.
More details – in the material “Kommersant” “And what kind of grain, I ask.”