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MOSCOW, Jul 13
MOSCOW, 13 Jul. Russia will think about extending the grain deal, there are still a few days for this, President Vladimir Putin said on the air of the Rossiya 24 channel. promises, and first fulfillment of promises — and then our participation. What I mean is, we can suspend our participation in this deal. If everyone once again says that all the promises given to us will be fulfilled, well, let them fulfill this promise, and we will immediately join this deal again,” he added.
Putin recalled the unfulfilled conditions , at which Moscow agreed to ensure the safety of the export of Ukrainian grain.
«There were clauses of this agreement with the UN, according to which it was necessary to take into account Russian interests — this is logistics, this is insurance, this is the movement of money associated with paying for our products and many other points. Nothing — I want to emphasize this — nothing was done at all» , the Russian leader said. html» data-title=»Peskov spoke about the situation with the grain deal»>
The President called this state of affairs a «one-sided game».
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“Despite this, we voluntarily extended this so-called deal many times. Many times. But listen: that's enough, in the end,» the head of state said.
He stressed that this agreement was primarily and mainly aimed at helping the world's poorest countries. The rise in prices for food and fertilizers is connected not with a special operation in Ukraine, but with punctures in the economic policy of Western countries, Putin said.
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"They decided to blame everything on Russia — as they say, from a sick head to a healthy one. We have absolutely nothing to do with it,” he said.
At the same time, the head of state added that UN Secretary General António Guterres and the organization’s staff are sincerely trying to ensure that the conditions of the grain deal regarding Russia are fulfilled.
«But they are not succeeding. Because Western countries are not going to keep their promises,» Putin explained.
The President also said that he had not seen Guterres' letter with a proposal aimed at extending the Black Sea initiative.
About Western assistance to Ukraine
In addition, the head of state commented on the situation with cooperation between NATO and Kiev.
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“As for Ukraine’s membership in NATO, we have repeatedly spoken about this, this creates threats to Russia’s security. Obviously. And, in fact, the reason for the special military operation, one of the reasons, is the threat of Ukraine joining NATO. I am sure that this will not increase the security of Ukraine itself. And in general,» Putin said.
According to him, Ukraine's entry into the alliance will make the world much more vulnerable and lead to additional tension in the international arena.
«Therefore, I don't see anything good in this,» the President stressed.
Putin also commented on the security guarantees that Kiev wants to receive from the West.
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"Now about security. We have said many times: any country has the right to ensure its security. And of course, she has the right to choose the way to achieve this goal, which she considers the most correct for herself. There is only one limitation. It is connected with the fact that, while achieving the security of one country, there should not be a threat to another country,” the Russian leader explained.
Putin noted that for Moscow “there is nothing unusual in what happened now declared both in NATO and in the «Seven», and the Kremlin is not against discussing such issues.
«But I repeat once again: under the obligatory condition of ensuring the security of Russia,» the president stressed.
Speaking about the supply of Western weapons to the Ukrainian army, Putin recalled how much hope was placed on the transfer of long-range missiles.
«Well, yes, they cause damage, but nothing critical happens in the combat zone with the use of missiles. The same goes for foreign-made tanks, infantry fighting vehicles,» the head of state said.
As Putin said, «as of yesterday evening, 311 tanks have been destroyed since June 4 alone,» a significant part of them, at least a third, are Western-made, including Leopards.
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«And they are burning ( western tanks. — Approx. ed.) just like everyone else. Even better than the rest, Soviet-made, well-known T-72,» the head of state added.
At the same time, problems have already appeared in the Armed Forces of Ukraine due to Western military vehicles. ru/20230712/tanki-1883799050.html» data-title='»Were inferior to the Soviets». In the US, they told what the Armed Forces of Ukraine did with the Leopard tanks'>
«I can tell you that Ukrainian servicemen often refuse to even get into these tanks, because they are a priority target for our guys. They are destroyed first of all on the battlefield. And this is an unpleasant circumstance that <…> prevents them from using (foreign-made combat vehicles. — Ed.)», the President said.
Putin stressed that the supply of weapons will not be able to change the situation on the battlefield, but will aggravate the situation for the Ukrainian side and will further inflame the conflict.