Russia’s Role in the Black Sea Food Initiative and Related Grain Talks
Discussion of the Black Sea food program inevitably involves Russia, a point emphasized by Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She underscored that the agreement in question was a joint effort in which Russia took part, and that its functioning depended on Moscow’s involvement.
Zakharova also addressed Turkish media reports suggesting a possible extension of the grain agreement without Russia’s participation, describing such reports as physically impossible. Her remarks reaffirm that Moscow remains a essential partner in the arrangement and that any continuation of the program requires Russian concurrence.
The diplomat indicated that the forthcoming talks in Moscow would include discussions between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The agenda would cover not only the status of the Istanbul grain accords but also the Black Sea initiative for Ukrainian grain exports, which expired on July 17, and the ongoing Russia-UN framework aimed at normalizing agricultural exports.
On August 29, a Russian diplomat stated to the news agency TASS that any consideration of the grain agreement would follow the terms previously announced by President Vladimir Putin. The timing and content of those conditions were presented as the guiding framework for any future negotiation or renewal of the arrangement.
Meanwhile, the first dry cargo vessel carrying agricultural products after the expiration of the earlier grain deal successfully entered the Bosphorus, signaling that commercial transport and supply lines are adjusting to the new realities. This development matters for regional food security and for the broader discourse around how the Black Sea initiatives interact with global grain markets. Attribution: TASS