Russia threatens to withdraw from the "grain agreement" if its demands are not met.
This was stated by the permanent representative of Russia at the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, to Reuters.
According to him, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres received a letter with a list of claims from the Russian side on Wednesday. The main one, according to Gatilov, is the guarantee of equal export of grain through the Black Sea. These claims are to be discussed with UN representatives in Moscow this Sunday.
"If we see nothing is happening on the Russian side of the deal – export of Russian grains and fertilisers – then excuse us, we will have to look at it in a different way [...]. There is a possibility...We are not against deliveries of grains but this deal should be equal, it should be fair and fairly implemented by all sides," said Gatilov, recalling the explosion on the Crimean bridge and adding that "this makes it difficult to reach a political solution."
He did not provide a copy of the letter sent to Guterres.
At the same time, the official representative of the UN, Stephan Duzharryk, said that he is in constant contact with the Russian Federation on the issue of grain export.
- On July 22, Russia signed an agreement on unblocking the export of Ukrainian grain from the ports of Odesa, Pivdenny, and Chornomorsk. The agreement was signed by Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Turkey, and the UN as a mediator. A day later, Russian troops bombarded the port of Odesa with missiles. On August 5, the first caravan of ships left the ports of Odesa.
- On September 7, Putin said that it is necessary to limit the export directions of Ukrainian grain and food via the Black Sea as part of the "grain agreement". He said that Ukrainian grain goes to the EU, not to Africa. The Ministry of Infrastructure denied his statement.
- On the same day, Russiaʼs permanent representative to the UN, Vasyl Nebenzia, said that the Russian Federation might refuse to extend the "grain agreement" in November.