The United Nations has reported continued, high-level engagement aimed at resolving lingering issues tied to the grain deal, with a particular focus on the financial mechanisms that enable shipment payments. In recent remarks at a Security Council session addressing Ukraine, the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy for Humanitarian Affairs outlined substantial progress while acknowledging persistent hurdles related to payment systems. He emphasized that although significant strides have been achieved, certain technical and policy-related studies remain unfinished, and the organization’s efforts in this area are ongoing as part of a broader, sustained push to stabilize grain exports and humanitarian relief flows.
Additionally, statements from Russian officials have kept the international community attentive to the agreement’s status. Maria Zakharova, the former spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated that Moscow intends to extend the grain accord by sixty days, signaling a cautious approach to the renewal timeline.
In related comments, Sergei Vershinin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Russian Federation, explained that the decision to extend the agreement for sixty days rather than a longer period reflects concerns over progress in supply arrangements for Russian food and fertilizer products. The explanation noted that the extension duration was determined in Moscow, influenced by the pace of progress on these critical supply lines.