wheat exports
But Russia is ready to negotiate grain with Ukraine and Turkey, Lavrov said. Ukraine should end the blockade of its ports, clear mines or ensure passage through the minefields,” said the Foreign Minister. After that, Russia and Turkey would ensure the safety of cargo ships outside Ukrainian territory so that they might continue to the Mediterranean. It However, it is unclear when such talks might take place.In Ukraine, millions of tons of grain are stored that cannot be exported.
Lavrov once once more dismissed accusations from the West that Russia’s war in Ukraine was preventing wheat exports and thus endangering world food security. Ukrainian grain accounts for only one percent of the supply, he said. At the same time, Lavrov criticized the fact that Russia might not export its own grain because of Western sanctions, for example because ships were not insured or might not call at foreign ports.
Lavrov’s presence at the G20 meeting was also seen as a test for Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin’s possible participation in the G20 summit on November 15-16, which is also taking place in Bali. Several states had questioned their participation if Putin attended the summit in person.