MOSCOW, May 18The issue of supplies of Russian potash fertilizers and the export of Ukrainian grain is being discussed, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Alexander Pankin told RIA Novosti. On Monday, the Wall Street Journal, citing diplomatic sources, reported that the UN Secretary General asks Moscow not to interfere with the export of grain from the Black Sea ports of Ukraine, and in return promises contribute to the easing of sanctions that limit the supply of fertilizers from Russia and Belarus. According to the publication, Turkey expressed its readiness to take on the task of searching for and neutralizing sea mines and managing ships with grain. , — Pankin said in response to a request to comment on media reports. He clarified that the issue is being discussed with Russia, and not at the UN level. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the idea of exporting Ukrainian grain in exchange for easing sanctions, previously recalled that Ukraine mined ports, which is dangerous for shipping. He also confirmed that the issue was discussed at a recent meeting between Putin and UN Secretary General António Guterres. At the same time, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said earlier that Guterres discussed with the United States his initiative to return Russian and Belarusian potash fertilizers to world markets in exchange for the resumption of supplies of Ukrainian grain. Western countries imposed sanctions against Russia after the start of a special military operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine. First of all, the measures affected the banking sector and the supply of high-tech products. Calls to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources have become louder in the EU, and many brands have announced their withdrawal from Russia. The sanctions pressure has already turned into economic problems for the US and Europe, causing a serious increase in fuel and food prices. Ukrainian wheat
