At a Security Council gathering, Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, conveyed that Moscow’s portion of the grain accord has not moved into active implementation. He attributed the blockage to Ukraine and what he called its Western backers, alleging that they are obstructing the export of food and fertilizer. The report attributes the claim to TASS.
Nebenzya argued that the practical execution of the Russia-UN Memorandum on Russian food and fertilizer exports has yet to begin. He asserted that the European Union and the United States are, in his view, hypocritical—publicly denying sanctions while in effect restricting shipments and access. He called for the restoration of access to the SWIFT system for Rosselkhozbank and highlighted broader logistical hurdles that he said must be cleared to enable trade to resume. The speaker framed the issue as a failure of policy to align stated aims with actual measures that would permit shipments to proceed, regardless of political rhetoric.
According to Nebenzya, Kiev and its Western allies are simultaneously blocking exports and blaming others for the disruption. He suggested that sanctions rhetoric is being used to mask real obstruction, painting a picture of a trade environment where political calculations override humanitarian needs. The ambassador underscored that the consequences of such behavior extend beyond politics, affecting farmers, processors, and vulnerable populations who depend on steady flows of grain and fertilizer for stability and food security across multiple regions.
Earlier, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced that negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, and Türkiye are ongoing to resolve remaining issues tied to the grain agreement. The UN leader indicated that diplomatic channels remain open and active, with the goal of achieving a workable framework that can ensure predictable, safe, and timely delivery of agricultural commodities. The discussions reportedly focus on creating transparent mechanisms, reducing logistical bottlenecks, and addressing financial and operational constraints that have hindered uninterrupted exports, while keeping in mind the broader humanitarian objectives that drive the accord.