The European Union remains firm on its stance regarding Rosselkhozbank and the potential relinking to SWIFT in connection with the grain deal. A source within the diplomatic mission of a European nation indicated to TASS that the matter is unlikely to be settled soon, and any relief from sanctions would depend on broader political developments and the course of the Ukrainian conflict. This suggests the EU does not view reintroduction to SWIFT as a short-term lever to advance concession in the grain initiative.
The source explained that Rosselkhozbank was added to the EU sanctions list in response to hostilities in Ukraine, and the prospect of lifting those measures is tied to the trajectory of the conflict and the state of relations with Russia. In the current environment, the sanctions terms are not expected to be reconsidered until a clearer turning point is reached in Ukraine, which may take time and depends on future negotiations and security assessments by EU member states.
Regarding the United Nations grain initiative, the official emphasized that the program should operate without additional conditions that would complicate shipping and trading. The emphasis is on keeping grain shipments moving to global markets while maintaining oversight and transparency, rather than attaching new political requirements that could hinder delivery to those in need.
Earlier, a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry suggested that the status of Rosselkhozbank with respect to SWIFT could influence the timing of the grain agreement, with warnings that the deal terms might expire if the bank remains outside the system. The implication is that financial access and payment channels are perceived by Moscow as critical to sustaining commitments under the grain framework. The international system, however, tends to connect sanctions policy to broader strategic considerations rather than to singular, time-bound clauses, which means that any linkage would be subject to extensive diplomacy and consensus among EU partners and the wider involved parties.
From the U.S. side, a spokesman for the State Department stated that Russia had violated the terms of the grain agreement, while stopping short of confirming any definitive plan by Western countries to fulfill their obligations under the arrangement. The spokesperson also noted that Russia currently restricts access for ships entering one of the three Ukrainian ports that are part of the grain export corridor, which some analysts view as a practical obstruction to the seamless operation of the initiative. The situation underscores the fragility of the pact and the ongoing need for clear enforcement mechanisms and independent verification to reassure global buyers and humanitarian actors alike.