Vasily Nebenzya told reporters that Russian exports of food and fertilizers are not guaranteed as part of the grain deal.
“The deal lasts four months and ends in November. In ordinary circumstances, the agreement should be extended. Given the results, the lack of progress to secure Russian exports under the agreement raises questions. We want to see the Russian portion of the deal implemented. So far, that has not happened,” Nebenzya said.
He stressed that “nothing is working with the Russian side” of the accord.
“Not a single Russian ship has removed Russian grain for export from Russian ports,” the diplomat noted.
He reminded listeners that the food deal was set for four months and expired in November. Nebenzya said he did not participate in the negotiations on the deal or its extension, but suggested that Moscow might refuse to extend the agreement if violations against Russia persist.
Speaking at a press conference the day before, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov charged that the West did not fulfill promises tied to the food agreement.
“Our Western colleagues are not taking the steps promised by the UN Secretary-General, namely decisions to remove logistical sanctions that block free access of grain and fertilizers to world markets,” Lavrov asserted.
Lavrov added that Moscow continues to work with the UN to ensure the Istanbul agreements remain in force.
Africa was left without grain
Nebenzia told the UN Security Council on August 24 that Western countries had not resolved “financial and logistical problems” hindering the export of Russian products and fertilizers.
“We urge all involved to recognize the package nature of the Black Sea Initiative and to stop delaying the resolution of financial and logistical barriers that prevent Russian food and fertilizers from reaching the world market. Extending the grain agreement, which lasts 120 days from signature, would aid Ukrainian exports as well as Russian operations,” he stated.
He also noted that only one of the 34 ships that had departed Ukraine under the food deal transported grain to Africa. The Russian ambassador to the UN emphasized that this outcome did not align with the UN’s initial goals to alleviate hunger in countries in need of grain.
“Here, it is worth recalling the setback when the lead ship Razoni arrived in Lebanon carrying corn rather than wheat, which was anticipated, and even though concern was raised about feed, the misalignment remains a problem,” the representative added. (UN)
In his view, reduced prices of grain exports and global food markets will not bring relief to the most vulnerable countries that still cannot afford to buy it, according to a UN Secretary-General remark made in the port of Odessa on August 19.
On August 30, Interfax cited UN data showing that more than 1.2 million tons of grain and other food products were exported from Ukraine under the Istanbul agreement. (UN)
As of August 29, the UN reported that total tonnage of grain and other food products exported from the three Ukrainian ports stood at 1,289,065 tons. (UN)
Grocery deal
The signing of multilateral agreements aimed at lifting restrictions on the export of Russian products and Russia’s assistance in exporting Ukrainian grain occurred on July 22 in Istanbul. The agreement was signed by representatives from Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Nations.
A package of documents, including UN involvement in lifting export restrictions on agricultural products and fertilizers from the Russian Federation, was signed by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Turkish officials, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The Ukrainian delegation signed a parallel agreement with Turkey and the UN on grain exports.
Shoigu stated that the accord covers the export of Ukrainian agricultural products from the ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhny under Kiev’s control. Ukraine pledged to ensure security in territorial waters and to conduct demining operations.
Soon a four-party center set up by Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Nations began operating in Istanbul. Its purpose was to inspect grain-carrying ships to prevent arms smuggling and to avoid provocations.