ANKARA, Jun 6 Ankara is familiar with Russia's position on the lack of prospects for extending the grain deal, and will continue to work together with the UN, said a source familiar with the work and negotiations on the Black Sea initiative.
On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said that Russia sees no prospects for extending the grain deal. He explained that the existing distortions in the implementation of the grain deal have not yet been eliminated. At the same time, the diplomat added, Russia continues consultations with UN representatives on both parts of the package agreements that were signed last July.
«Yes, we are aware. The situation around this initiative is complicated, we are aware of the problems, we continue to work together with the UN so that they (problems) are resolved,» the source said.
Ankara understands all concerns and demands of Russia on the «grain deal», continues dialogue with the West to remove obstacles, said a source familiar with the work and negotiations on the «grain deal».
«We understand the concerns of Russia and its demands. We have repeatedly stressed that it is necessary to fully implement the agreement, remove obstacles to the export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers. We are working with Western partners to remove these obstacles. Negotiations with the Russian side should be held in Geneva in the near future, The UN is actively working, putting forward initiatives. We hope for results,» the source said.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was signed on July 22, 2022 by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN, involves the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizer across the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa. The coordination of vessel traffic is handled by the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul. In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that the West exports most of the Ukrainian grain to its own states, and not to needy countries in Africa.
The grain initiative is an integral part of the package agreement. The second part — the Russia-UN memorandum, designed for three years — provides for the unblocking of Russian exports of food and fertilizers, the reconnection of the Russian Agricultural Bank to SWIFT, the resumption of supplies of agricultural machinery, spare parts and services, the restoration of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline and a number of other measures. As noted in Moscow, this part of the package agreement has not yet been implemented.