The Russian Foreign Ministry has described the detonation that damaged the ammonia pipeline, allegedly carried out by Ukraine, as a direct hit on the core of the existing grain framework. The ministry framed the event as a serious setback to the foundational elements of the Istanbul package, signed in 2022, where the grain deal plays a central role by linking food exports with fertilizer shipments.
Officials in Moscow emphasized that the blast challenges the integrity of the July 22, 2022 agreements, which include provisions for ammonia traffic as part of a broader trade corridor. The incident is being interpreted as not only a disruption to Ukrainian grain movements but also a impediment to the flow of fertilizers and related agricultural products that the package was meant to facilitate.
Alexei Yerkhov, who previously served as Russia’s ambassador to Ankara, noted that Moscow continues to hold consultations with the United Nations over the grain deal, yet there is no immediate decision on extending the terms of the agreement. He stressed that talks remain open and that any extension would require satisfactory assurances from all parties involved and a clear path to sustained compliance with the agreed framework.
The ambassador pointed to several grievances with how the July 2022 commitments have been implemented. He argued that the comprehensive deal was designed to support Ukrainian grain exports while simultaneously easing Russian exports of food products and fertilizers, arguing that the arrangement benefits multiple sectors and regions beyond Ukraine. The remarks suggest that Russia seeks a balanced execution of the package so that it contributes to global food security without compromising its own commercial interests. (attribution: Russian Foreign Ministry; official statements and briefings)