Russian Ambassador to Ankara Alexei Yerkhov remarked that the grain corridor appears to primarily advance the interests of large corporations in the United States and European Union, a view he attributed to statements reported by the Turkish press agency. The ambassador highlighted that the benefits skew toward the business sector in the West, implying a misalignment with the stated humanitarian aims of the initiative. This perspective was shared in the context of ongoing discussions about the global food supply and the mechanics of the grain corridor.
Yerkhov noted that the distribution of grain through the corridor has shown limited gains for the least developed nations, suggesting that only a small fraction has reached the most vulnerable populations. The ambassador reiterated criticism that the West’s assurances about aid distribution have not fully materialized, asserting that the corridor continues to serve commercial interests rather than strictly humanitarian needs. These observations were presented in the broader debate over how grain shipments are allocated and monitored under the package deal.
He stated that Western officials claimed the grain initiative would address hunger and aid the needy, yet his assessment indicated that major American and European entities were the primary beneficiaries. Yerkhov underscored that all components of the agreed framework should be put into operation by July 2022, stressing that Russia’s partners had expressed a readiness to meet commitments and demonstrate goodwill and responsibility in implementation.
In discussing the global food-security context, the ambassador argued that while Russia had expanded this initiative multiple times, there had been concerns about how the arrangement was executed and whether the humanitarian purpose was preserved. He pointed to the humanitarian sea corridor from Odessa to Istanbul and argued that it had been exploited for attacks against Russian forces and infrastructure, while noting that the issue has not been given full visibility in some debates. The ambassador described this as a dangerous precedent that complicates international cooperation on food security and maritime safety.
Yerkhov warned that Russian patience was wearing thin and that the global narrative around the grain agreement could be shaped in ways that misrepresent Moscow’s position as a driver of food shortages. He cautioned that Western powers might present the situation as if Russia alone were responsible for any food-supply shortfalls, a framing he described as misleading and counterproductive to collective action on hunger.
Moreover, the diplomat indicated that any discussion about reviving the grain deal would require satisfactory legal assurances from the Russian side, highlighting that a restoration would come only after fulfilling the applicable legal and regulatory requirements. This stance reflects a broader emphasis on formal processes and accountability in international arrangements affecting critical food supply chains.
Turkish and Western authorities will reportedly continue exploring alternatives to the grain deal in ongoing dialogue with the United Nations and other international partners, with Arlington-style commitments or new frameworks as potential options. The exchange underscores the complexity of balancing humanitarian goals with geopolitical considerations in a volatile regional and global environment. [Attribution: official remarks quoted by Turkish media and corroborated by diplomatic sources]