Verschinin: There is no reason to discuss the export of agricultural products and fertilizers in negotiations with Ukraine

SadaNews - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin considered that there is no reason to discuss the export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers in negotiations with Ukraine.

 

This statement comes as the expiration date of the memorandum between Russia and the United Nations to facilitate the export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers approaches on July 22, which is a memorandum signed concurrently with the Ukrainian "grain deal".

Vershinin stated in an interview with the "Novosti" agency: "I see no reason to discuss this issue in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations. At least not today. As I mentioned earlier, Russia has been and will remain a reliable supplier of food and fertilizers in the global market. In this regard, we do not need approval from anyone, especially from the Ukrainians." 

Russia and Ukraine have held two rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul earlier this year, during which they agreed on a prisoner exchange, and Moscow handed over the bodies of fallen soldiers to Kyiv. Additionally, both sides exchanged draft memorandums to resolve the conflict. A Turkish diplomatic source had previously reported that Ankara is waiting for a decision from Russia and Ukraine regarding scheduling the third round of negotiations in Istanbul. 

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was concluded on July 22, 2022, by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Nations, stipulated the export of grains, food, and Ukrainian fertilizers via the Black Sea from three ports including Odesa. The initiative formed part of a larger agreement, the second part of which was a memorandum between Russia and the United Nations, lasting three years, which included commitments to remove obstacles to the export of Russian food products and fertilizers, reconnect the "Rosselkhozbank" to the SWIFT system, resume the supply of agricultural equipment, spare parts, and maintenance services, and restart the "Togliatti-Odessa" ammonia pipeline, among other procedures. 

Russia withdrew from the initiative in July 2023. Russian authorities have repeatedly indicated that the Kyiv regime exploited the deal to carry out attacks and provocations against Russian ships and coastal infrastructure under the guise of a humanitarian corridor. Additionally, the promises related to facilitating the access of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to global markets have not been fulfilled.

Source: "Novosti"