Ukraine weighs allowing the transit of Russian ammonia through its territory, a decision that hinges on how the Black Sea grain deal evolves in terms of the goods it covers and the geographical scope of permitted routes. The information comes from Reuters, citing an unnamed Ukrainian government official who described the bargaining dynamics surrounding the agreement and the potential corridor for ammonia shipments.
According to the source, the current text of the grain deal does not authorize ammonia transit through Ukraine. In practical terms, Kyiv would reserve its permission only if the framework expands to encompass additional Ukrainian ports and broadens the list of commodities allowed to move under the pact. The official stressed that there is no specific list of extra goods being requested at this stage, leaving the exact inclusions to future discussions and formal amendments.
The report notes that the final version of the grain agreement does not address the Togliatti–Odessa ammonia pipeline or the crossing route directly, signaling that any formal authorization for such transit would require a separate addendum or side agreement. This gap in the text means the ammonia corridor would depend on separate negotiations rather than being implied by the existing document, a reality that could influence both sides’ diplomatic calculus and operational planning.
Earlier, as negotiations continued, the Kremlin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, indicated a positive step by approving a 60-day extension of the grain agreement, extending its validity through mid-July. This extension appears to be part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the corridor for grain shipments and related fixes, while discussions about other cargo movements, including ammonia, continue in parallel with the broader political and security context that surrounds the agreement.
Analysts observe that the evolution of this transit question highlights the delicate balance Ukraine seeks between maintaining its sovereignty over its routes and leveraging the broader grain deal to secure favorable terms for its own economy and regional stability. The ammonia issue, if resolved in Kyiv’s favor, could alter energy and agricultural logistics across the Black Sea region, affecting exporters, insurers, shipowners, and the wider supply chain. In the near term, stakeholders are watching whether Kyiv will attach conditional access to additional ports or commodity categories, and how international partners respond to the potential widening of the pact. Reuters coverage of the matter underscores the dependence of these decisions on formal amendments and careful coordination among the parties involved, including Ukraine, Russia, and the coalition backing the grain arrangement.