In the event that the “grain deal” is terminated, Russia will provide supplies to the poorest countries at its own expense. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a briefing, TASS reports.
“In the event of the termination of the Black Sea initiative, we will ensure the supply of a comparable or larger batch of grain to the poorest countries at our own expense, free of charge,” Lavrov said.
The minister added that he sees no reason yet to extend the grain deal, which expires on July 18. “In terms of Ukrainian grain, it has long become commercial,” Lavrov added and promised that if the deal is terminated, the export of Russian agricultural products will not suffer. According to him, the export of Russian grain and fertilizers continues.
Recall that the “grain deal” was concluded in the summer of 2022 with Ukraine with the participation of the UN and Turkey. It involves opening ports in Ukraine for the export of agricultural products, as well as unblocking the export of food and fertilizers of the Russian Federation. Moscow put forward a condition for a further extension of the deal, demanding that Rosselkhozbank be reconnected to SWIFT. However, the European Union refused to do so. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that July 18 would be the time for the completion of the deal.
Source: Rosbalt
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