russia threatens to withdraw from "grain deal"
Photo: facebook.com/oleksandr.kubrakov
russia has sent the UN a list of demands, in case of non-fulfillment of which it threatens to withdraw from the agreement on the grain export from the Black Sea, the validity of which expires in November.
In an interview with Reuters, this was stated by the permanent representative of russia at the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov.
According to him, on Wednesday, moscow sent a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres outlining a list of claims. They should be discussed during the meeting of representatives of the Organization with the russian side in Moscow on Sunday.
"If we see that nothing is happening on the russian side – the export of russian grain and fertilizers – then, sorry, we will have to look at it differently," Gatilov said.
When asked if russia might not support the continuation of the "grain agreement," he said: "There is such a possibility… We are not against grain supplies, but this agreement must be equal; it must be fair and honestly implemented by all parties."
The russian diplomat also mentioned the explosion on the Crimean bridge as an example of "terrorist acts" that "complicate the achievement of a political solution" between russia and Ukraine.
It is not known exactly what claims russia has made to the UN.
Gatilov refused to provide a copy of the letter, and the representative of the Secretary-General, Stefan Dujarric, only assured that the dialogue between the parties to the "grain agreement" continues.
Reference
In July, through the mediation of the UN and Turkey, an agreement was concluded that allowed Ukraine to unblock grain exports from the Black Sea ports, which had been closed since the russian invasion.
In return, moscow received guarantees for its own export of grain and fertilizers.
The deal helped avert a global food crisis, but russia has repeatedly complained about its implementation, saying it still faces difficulties selling fertilizer and food.
The "grain agreement" expires in November, when it must be extended.
Earlier, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, called on the world's countries to put pressure on moscow to prevent attempts to block the continuation of the grain corridor.
