MOSCOW, Mar 18 Russia has agreed to extend the grain deal for only 60 days, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
«
«We see reports from the parties that the deal has been extended for 120 days, we have repeatedly stated — both the Foreign Ministry and Russian representatives to the UN — that the Russian side <…> extends the deal for 60 days,” the diplomat said.
According to her, all parties to the agreement received not only verbal notices, but also special notes.
“I repeat once again, Russia agreed to extend the deal for 60 days,» Zakharova stressed.
In July last year, representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN signed an agreement that involves the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizer across the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa. The Joint Coordinating Center (JCC) in Istanbul is responsible for coordinating the movement of ships. The grain deal itself is part of a package deal that, among other things, provides for the unblocking of Russian exports of food and fertilizers. Moscow emphasized that this particular condition was not met, despite assurances from the UN.
The agreement expired on November 18 last year, however, its terms implied an automatic extension for 120 days (until March 18) in the absence of objections from any party.