Deputy Foreign Minister Vershinin: Moscow notes Ankara’s desire to implement grain deal
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said that Moscow notes the positive desire of the Turkish side to ensure the implementation of the agreements on the “grain deal”, signed in Istanbul in July this year.
“We note the positive desire of the Turkish side to ensure the implementation of those agreements that were signed on July 22 this year. As far as the export of fertilizers and ammonia is concerned, we should talk about the commercial component. I would remind you that Russia is one of the largest producers of ammonia and other essential fertilizers”, Vershinin told Russian journalists after negotiations with Turkey in Istanbul.
The grain deal, which was signed on July 22 by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations, involves the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizers via the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa. The Joint Coordination Center (JCC) in Istanbul is in charge of coordinating the movement of ships.
The agreement expired on November 18, but it was supposed to be prolonged automatically for 120 days if no party objected. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that “no such objections have been received,” while noting that the Russian side allows for a technical prolongation of the “Black Sea initiative” for the export of Ukrainian grain without any changes in the terms and scope.
The deal itself is part of a package deal, which includes unblocking Russian exports of food and fertilizers – Moscow noted that this is exactly what has not been implemented. At the same time, there were assurances from the UN that the restrictions would be lifted.