During a government meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of sabotaging the grain deal and stated that Russia would only return to it if its humanitarian essence is restored, Prime.ru has reported.
He criticized the audacity and disregard for Russia's conditions within the framework of the grain deal, noting that while Russia showed remarkable endurance and tolerance, the West spared no effort in derailing the agreement. The grain deal was extended until July 17, 2023, but Putin emphasized that the West failed to uphold their end of the bargain.
Putin acknowledged the sincere efforts of UN personnel to fulfill the promises made by the West but lamented that they were unable to achieve anything substantial. Instead, the West seemed determined to undermine the deal, using it for political blackmail and enriching transnational corporations. Originally intended to have significant humanitarian implications, the essence of the grain deal was hollowed out and distorted by the West.
Putin stressed that Russia needs action, not just promises and ideas, from the West. He demanded the removal of all obstacles faced by Russian banks and financial institutions servicing food and fertilizer deliveries, including their immediate reconnection to the international banking system SWIFT. Other conditions included lifting sanctions on Russian grain and fertilizer exports to global markets, resuming deliveries of agricultural machinery and components, ensuring the smooth operation of food supplies logistics, and facilitating unhindered fertilizer exports from Russia and the import of raw materials for their production.
Although the UN had shown a willingness to extend the agreement, Putin made it clear that Russia would require a return to the deal's original humanitarian essence. Once all the specified conditions are met, Russia will swiftly return to the agreement.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed in 2022 by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the UN, ceased to be in effect from July 18. The deal, which required the export of Ukrainian grain, food, and fertilizers through three Black Sea ports, including Odessa, was part of a comprehensive package agreement. The second part of the package, the Russia-UN Memorandum, aimed to unlock Russian food and fertilizer exports, reintegrate Rosselkhozbank into the international financial system, resume agricultural equipment supplies and spare parts, restore the ammonia pipeline from Tolyatti to Odessa, and undertake several other measures.
The grain deal's expiration prompted Russia to express objections to its extension to Turkey, Ukraine, and the UN. President Putin had previously highlighted that the deal's conditions for Russia were not met due to the West's failure to keep their promises. He emphasized that the primary purpose of the agreement, delivering grain to countries in need, particularly in Africa, had not been realized as the West exported a significant portion of Ukrainian grain to their own countries.
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