Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin stated that UN efforts have not yet resulted in full implementation of Moscow’s portion of the grain agreement, as reported by TASS. He emphasized that the Russian side recognizes some ongoing activity, but its practical realization has effectively stalled. The diplomat indicated that while there is not a complete cessation, the engagement has lost momentum and currently lacks the dynamics needed for full execution.
In addition, Pankin praised the ongoing work of the United Nations and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, noting that their efforts have been appreciated by Moscow. Nevertheless, he asserted that those efforts did not translate into the outcomes required for unlocking the agreement’s full potential from Russia’s perspective.
Former Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova suggested that difficulties in inspecting ships participating in the grain initiative stem from actions by Ukraine and the UN. She claimed that Ukrainian representatives allow only ships whose owners have paid bribes to join the Black Sea Initiative, arguing that this gatekeeping undermines the project’s integrity.
Earlier, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that there has been no progress to report on the grain deal, underscoring a gap between stated commitments and tangible steps on the ground. [Source attribution: TASS, official UN broadcasts]