MOSCOW, Oct 29 Russian grain export companies are ready to carry out a humanitarian mission and supply grain to countries in need, despite provocations and sanctions barriers, said Eduard Zernin, chairman of the board of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters.
«We understand the level of responsibility that falls on the exporters of Russian grain as a result of the termination of the grain deal. We are ready to fulfill our humanitarian mission and supply grain to countries in need, despite provocations and sanctions barriers,» Zernin said.
Russia suspends participation in the export of products from the ports of Ukraine because of the terrorist attack in the waters of Sevastopol, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. Early in the morning of October 29, Kyiv attacked the ships of the Black Sea Fleet and civilian ships that were on the outer and inner roadsteads of the Sevastopol base. The attacked ships and infrastructure were used to operate a humanitarian route for the export of agricultural products from Ukraine.
In turn, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev said that Russia is ready to supply the poorest countries with up to 500,000 tons of grain free of charge in the next 4 months, and also completely replace Ukrainian grain and supply all interested countries at affordable prices. The minister recalled that 150 million tons of grain have already been harvested in Russia this year, and the ministry estimates the export potential for the current season at more than 50 million tons.
«It can be said that our exporters, both Russian and international «are gradually adapting to activities under the conditions of hidden sanctions. We work as a close-knit team, we have reliable partners on the ground,» Zernin noted. «The preliminary results of October inspire us with confidence that Russia will realize its export potential this season, Russian grain will reach countries in need in the volumes they require».