Deputy Representative of Russia to the United Nations: The decision on the agreement for the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports is the final United Nations | agreement | port
According to TASS on the 17th, the Deputy Representative of Russia to the United Nations stated that the decision on the agreement for the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports is final and there are no plans for further negotiations.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the same day regarding the agreement on the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports, stating that the agreement will be suspended from July 18th. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the Russian side is opposed to continuing to extend the agreement on the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports. On the 17th, it officially notified Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations Secretariat of the decision. Russia will cease navigation safety guarantees for the Black Sea Food Corridor, close the maritime humanitarian corridor in the northwest of the Black Sea, and dissolve the Black Sea Food Export Joint Coordination Center located in Istanbul.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on its official website on the 17th, stating that the implementation of the agreement on the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports has been blatantly disrupted, and continuing to implement it is "meaningless.".
The Russian side informed Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations the same day that it opposed the extension of the agreement.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Russian decision means canceling the safety guarantee for navigation in the Black Sea, shutting down maritime humanitarian corridors, restoring control over the northwest of the Black Sea as a temporary danger zone, and disbanding the Joint Coordination Center for Black Sea Food Export.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the agreement signed in Istanbul, Türkiye, on July 22, 2022 was "two interrelated" agreements on the export of grain and fertilizer between Ukraine and Russia. This package of agreements aims to ensure global food security, reduce the threat of hunger, and assist impoverished countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. However, one year after the agreement was signed, its implementation has been disappointing.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Russia is conscientiously fulfilling its responsibilities as a contracting party to the agreement, but contrary to the humanitarian goals of the agreement, Ukrainian food exports have become purely commercial activities, serving the interests of Ukraine and the West.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that during the implementation of the agreement on the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports, a total of 32.8 million tons of agricultural products were transported, of which more than 70% were sent to high-income and high-middle income countries, including EU countries, while the poorest countries received less than 3%, only about 920000 tons.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Europe profits by acquiring and processing Ukrainian grain and reselling high value-added manufactured products. At the same time, since July last year, the European Union has issued a series of sanctions on Russian agricultural exports, and similar measures have been taken by the United States and the United Kingdom, resulting in Russia being blocked in payment, insurance, logistics, and overseas assets.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that if the West really values the agreement on the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports, it should seriously consider fulfilling its own obligations and lifting restrictions on Russian agricultural products and fertilizers. Only when clear results are seen will the Russian side consider restoring the agreement.
Earlier on the same day, Russian President's press secretary Peskov stated that the agreement for the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports had actually been suspended. But if the parts of the agreement related to Russia can be fulfilled, the Russian side will immediately resume the implementation of the agreement.
On July 22, 2022, Russia and Ukraine signed relevant agreements with Türkiye and the United Nations on the export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports in Istanbul, Türkiye. The agreement is valid for 120 days. The agreement was extended multiple times in November last year, March and May this year, and expired on July 17th.