ANKARA, May 5.The issue of obtaining guarantees from Western countries on the return of Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT system is on the agenda, said a source familiar with the negotiations on the grain deal.
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«Yes, this issue is really being discussed. Discussed in detail between the UN and a number of Western countries. Now there is a question of obtaining certain guarantees so that there are no obstacles in case of connection to the system,” the source said.
As the Ministry of Defense of Turkey reported earlier, this issue will be discussed today in Istanbul at the technical level. delegations.
The source did not rule out that the return of the Russian state-owned bank to the SWIFT system will take place through the mediation of Turkish financial organizations.
«But here, as we previously stated, guarantees are required for the Turkish bank that tomorrow we will not face sanctions» , he emphasized. » data-title=»Grain deal»>
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was signed on July 22, 2022 by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN, includes agreements on the export of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea and unblocking Russian exports, food, and fertilizers.
From March 18, 2023, Russia extended the deal for 60 days — until May 18, Ukraine insists that the deal has been extended for 120 days.
Among the requirements of the Russian side are also the reconnection of Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international transfer system and the resumption of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline. Moscow has repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that the agreements on these issues have not yet been implemented.
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