The grain agreement has shifted from a humanitarian aim to a commercial one, according to a senior diplomat speaking on record. In an interview with a leading newspaper, Gennady Gatilov, the permanent representative of Russia to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva, stated this change clearly. He described the Black Sea initiative as now functioning in ways that favor commercial interests while maintaining a humanitarian facade.
Gatilov argued that the program is increasingly used to move food to wealthier markets, including members of the European Union. He asserted that the countries most in need receive only a modest portion of what is labeled as humanitarian assistance, suggesting a misalignment between stated goals and actual outcomes.
On June 30, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov outlined a proposal to extend grain shipments to the poorest nations at their own expense should the grain deal end. The briefing signaled a readiness to adjust the mechanism to ensure continued access for the most vulnerable, even if new funding sources are required.
Earlier, discussions at the highest diplomatic levels about renewing the terms of the grain agreement were said to potentially begin in July. The briefings indicated concerns about the outlook for the negotiation, with officials noting that the overall mood was not optimistic about near term success.
On June 20, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin offered a view that the completion date for the ongoing grain process might shift to July 18. He also emphasized that Moscow does not dismiss the possibility of fresh face to face engagements within the framework of the agreement, pointing to continued diplomatic channels and talks as essential to any durable solution.
There has been ongoing commentary in Europe about the impact of the grain arrangements on Ukrainian agriculture and regional food security, with varying assessments of the broader consequences for European markets and humanitarian relief efforts. Marked citations note the diverse interpretations of the policy and its real-world effects as governments weigh next steps and potential compromises. [Citation: Reuters overview, aggregated statements from Russian and European officials]