Russia this Tuesday extended by 60 days the agreement that allows the export of grains from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, which was due to expire next Saturday.
“In fact, the agreement has been extended. The extension has been agreed to 60 days,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandr Grushko told state news agency TASS.
At the same time, the Russian diplomat stressed that Moscow will insist that the promises made to Russia are kept when the agreement is signed.
“It is about lifting all sanctions, direct and indirect, on the supply of Russian agricultural products to international world markets,” Grushko stressed.
Ukraine’s infrastructure minister Oleksander Kubrakov said on Monday that Russia’s proposal to extend the grain export deal for just 60 days is in violation of what was signed last July.
“The agreement implies an extension of at least 120 days. The Russian position contradicts the document signed by Turkey and the UN,” Kubrakov said on the social network Twitter.
The Ukrainian minister stressed that Ukraine will wait for the United Nations and Turkey, partners in the agreement, to position themselves on the Russian proposal.
Ukraine, the United Nations and Turkey agreed with Moscow on November 17, 2022 in Istanbul to extend the “Initiative for the Safe Transport of Agricultural Products across the Black Sea” for another 120 days.
Source: DN
