UN Efforts on Russian Portion of Grain Deal Questioned by Moscow
The United Nations’ push to fulfill Russia’s portion of the grain agreement drew sharp criticism from Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the Russian side had found no fulfillment of its commitments within the package. He cited ongoing assurances from UN officials, including members of the Secretariat and the Secretary-General, but said those assurances had not translated into any concrete results.
Lavrov noted that discussions around the package have extended for months, with UN representatives insisting they were making substantial efforts. Yet he asserted that these efforts produced no tangible outcomes. The tone of the comments suggested frustration with the pace and effectiveness of diplomacy surrounding the deal.
There had been expectations of a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 10, a signal of continued attempts to manage the grain framework. But the prospect of extending the grain deal beyond mid-July remained uncertain. Some observers warned that expanding the Black Sea initiative faced a lack of measurable optimism amid fragile negotiations.
Earlier, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke by telephone with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Sunday, July 9. The discussions followed a day of rapid diplomatic exchanges as parties evaluated next steps for the agreement.
Reports from the previous day suggested that Russia might not see a reason to extend the grain deal when it expires on July 17. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned of heightened Western propaganda on the eve of expiry, reinforcing Moscow’s view that any extension would require the consent of all parties involved—Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. The final decision, as described by the Secretariat, remained in flux, with no clear path to renewal announced at that time.
Lavrov later commented on Russia’s possible actions if the grain agreement were terminated. The remarks underscored the potential for shifts in how food shipments and related commitments could be handled should Moscow opt to withdraw from the accord.
In summary, Moscow’s position centered on a lack of progress on Russia’s portion of the package, even as other participants maintained that efforts were ongoing. The situation highlighted the fragility of international arrangements tied to crucial commodity exchanges and the delicate balance of diplomacy, economic interests, and security considerations in the Black Sea region. [Attribution: DEA News]”