Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that the Black Sea initiative is no longer functioning as intended and could be terminated in the near future. This position was shared during a press conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 29. Lavrov emphasized that the agreement had enabled Ukraine to export grain to the world’s poorest nations, highlighting that these countries received only a fraction of the total 30 million tons that were shipped under the deal.
The minister pointed out that Moscow now has the option to dispatch agro-industrial products directly, bypassing the mechanisms tied to the inactive Russia-UN memorandum. He suggested that such a path could help Russia maintain its agricultural output on the international market even without the memorandum in place, though he did not specify the exact channels or dates for resuming shipments.
Lavrov added that a positive development for food and fertilizer markets would occur if the United Nations Secretary-General can secure compliance with the commitments outlined in the memorandum. In his view, fulfilling those obligations would lessen disruption to global food security and stabilize prices for essential agricultural inputs, which has implications for both producer nations and importing countries alike.
On the broader geopolitical stage, Lavrov criticized the actions of European Union officials, describing them as a direct disruption of food security goals. He argued that those measures undermined the ability of vulnerable populations to access affordable food and fertilisers, potentially aggravating humanitarian needs in regions already facing shortages. The remarks reflect a wider pattern of Moscow’s insistence on alternative trade routes and supply chains in response to Western sanctions and diplomatic row.
In outlining the current stance, Lavrov suggested that the continuation of Western-led restrictions and the associated logistical hurdles were central to the decision to pause the initiative. He warned that if the EU and its allies maintain pressure, the practical benefits of coordinated grain shipments could fade, pushing both exporters and importers toward new arrangements that bypass established channels and complicate international monitoring of grain flows. The overall message conveyed was one of cautious realism: while the memorandum once offered a structured path for commodity movements, the present reality requires reassessment and potential reorientation of export strategies by participating countries.
For experts observing the situation, the exchange underscored a broader theme in current global trade: humanitarian needs remain pressing, yet geopolitical frictions continually reshuffle the tools available to meet those needs. Analysts note that any shift away from the memorandum would demand robust alternatives to ensure transparency, prevent price volatility, and protect the most vulnerable consuming nations that rely on predictable grain supplies. The dialogue continues to revolve around balancing strategic interests with the humanitarian imperative to keep staple foods accessible to poorer populations, especially where supply chains have been stretched by sanctions and regional instability.
As this scenario unfolds, observers in international diplomacy will be watching how the United Nations and its member states respond to Lavrov’s position. The emphasis appears to be on rebuilding or renegotiating a framework that can deliver reliable food security outcomes while accommodating the political realities facing all parties involved. The coming weeks are likely to reveal whether a revised agreement or a set of alternative pathways can emerge to stabilize grain and fertilizer markets, support farmers, and protect consumers in vulnerable economies across the globe.