grain exports
Sergei Lavrov declarationRussia is ready “one way or another” to provide security guarantees for the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports.
“We guarantee the safety of such roads and assure that whenever and wherever Ukraine allows to clear mines and withdraw ships from their ports, we will not use this situation in the interests of the ongoing special military operation,” he said. .
According to him, the Russian and Turkish military are discussing the details of the demining of Ukrainian ports for the export of grain. The minister stressed that there was “never an obstacle” from Russia for this. The Minister also announced that Moscow is ready to hold a four-way meeting in Istanbul between the representatives of the UN, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine to discuss grain exports.
“We are ready for such meetings regarding additional meetings to be held in Istanbul. We appreciate the UN’s interest in getting involved in some way in the recognition of its existence. But frankly, apart from some symbolism, this will not add anything, ”says Lavrov.
He noted that Western countries and Ukrainians are trying to raise the issue of grain exports to a “universal catastrophe category”, but that the share of this grain is “less than 1% of the global production of wheat and other grains”.
“So the current situation regarding Ukrainian grain has nothing to do with the food crisis,” said the Russian Foreign Minister.
He is also sure that the West is trying to keep this issue “a permanent irritant”.
“Now, as our Turkish friends say, if the Ukrainian side is ready to pass, either clear the mines or make the passage through the minefields, let’s hope the problem will be resolved,” said the minister.
He explained earlier that Kiev categorically refuses to solve the problem of demining of ports.
“We are ready to ensure the safety of ships leaving the Ukrainian ports and going to the straits, we are ready to do this in cooperation with our Turkish colleagues,” Lavrov said.
When a Ukrainian State Television journalist accused Russia of “stealing” grain and other goods from Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Minister gave a harsh response.
“Oh, so you have a headache about where to steal something and you think everybody does it? “We are engaged in the implementation of the publicly announced goals, in order to liberate eastern Ukraine from the oppression of the neo-Nazi regime,” Lavrov replied, adding that “grain can be freely transported to its destinations.” If he commands something else to give, he must command.”
On the other hand, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that he considered Turkey’s UN plan to solve the grain problem acceptable.
UN mechanism can be accepted, Turkey is ready to participate in the process. If the parties agree, we are ready to hold an appropriate meeting in Istanbul,” he said.
resumption of negotiations
Lavrov said that Russia’s special military operation is proceeding according to plan and achieving its objectives. He is sure that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, just for the fact of the meeting.
“First of all, the negotiation teams need to keep working – the ball has been on the Ukrainian side for almost two months,” the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry said, noting that Moscow had handed over a version of the draft agreement to Kiev. He returned in April, but received no response from the Ukrainian authorities.
He also described Zelensky’s statement that Russia would have to withdraw its troops from the line on February 24 to restart negotiations as a “serious approach”.
“A few days ago I heard President Zelensky say, “Give us anti-ship weapons, we will decide everything ourselves.” In general, I think the adequacy of such a statement is clear enough,” he said.
The diplomat considered the behavior of the Ukrainian ambassadors, who allowed them to confer insulting features on foreign heads of state, as “vulgar”.
“I find this unacceptable. We briefly touched on this topic today. We have a common understanding that it is better to speak well,” said the Russian Foreign Minister.
In response, Çavuşoğlu said Turkey’s refusal to participate in anti-Russian sanctions “could cause concern, including in Ukraine.”
“But it is necessary to admit that Turkey’s position is balanced and objective,” the Turkish minister said, emphasizing that Ankara takes political decisions “independently, regardless of other people’s opinions.”
The situation in Syria
Çavuşoğlu also said that they discussed the situation in Syria with Lavrov.
The situation in Syria was also one of the topics of our discussions. “There are problems in the region, the terrorist threat must be ended,” he said.
In response, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the agreements with Turkey on Syria’s Idlib are being implemented gradually, but Moscow is in close cooperation with Ankara on Syria.
“During repeated talks between Presidents Erdogan and Putin, certain agreements were made, including the 1919 memorandum. There was also a memorandum addressing the need to resolve the issue in the Idlib de-escalation zone. In both cases, of course, gradually, the agreements made in these important documents are implemented, ”explained Lavrov.
He noted that both sides shared the goals set there.