Recently proposed by the United Nations as part of reviving the grain deal, a set of fresh ideas centers on how to ease tensions around Russian food producer assets. The proposals emphasize opening negotiations aimed at releasing assets tied to Russian agricultural producers, a move seen as potentially stabilizing for global food supply chains while allowing more predictable flows of grain and related products. The international body has signaled that dialogue could help address lingering financial and logistical barriers that have complicated shipments and payments, especially in markets reliant on steady access to basic commodities.
In the package of proposals, there is also a clear plan to begin evaluating the damage to pipelines involved in ammonia transport, with the aim of restoring the infrastructure that supports vital agricultural inputs. By assessing what has been damaged and how it affects shipping routes and storage facilities, the UN intends to map a path toward repairs that could reduce disruption to fertilizer supply. Alongside this, there is consideration of reconnecting Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT network as a step toward reestablishing smoother international payments for grain-related trade, a move that could help reenable settlements and reduce counterparty risk in the market while negotiations unfold.
Earlier, reports from TASS, citing a UN diplomatic source, indicated that an effort was underway to reconnect a Russian state bank, the Agricultural Bank of Russia, to the SWIFT system in connection with the grain deal. The report noted that such an alignment would not be straightforward and would require authorization from the United States and European Union authorities. It was suggested that while the UN and Turkey can influence several aspects of the logistics, their ability to enable a subsidiary of a Russian bank to participate in SWIFT hinges on broader political approval, underscoring the intricate nature of sanctions, financial messaging standards, and cross-border trade in times of geopolitical tension.
The most recent vessel that had fallen under the grain agreement’s umbrella has completed its voyage from the Black Sea, signaling another phase in the ongoing attempt to keep shipments steady. This development comes as the broader negotiations continue to balance humanitarian needs with the political realities that shape access to shipping corridors, insurance, and payment channels. Observers note that even as ships depart and cargo moves, the longer-term stability of the arrangement will depend on tangible steps toward normalization of financial and logistical processes that facilitate predictable, affordable exports for countries facing food security challenges.