ANKARA, TURKEY (AFP) – Russia could withdraw from a war pact allowing exports of Ukrainian grain to global markets if the West does not remove obstacles to Russian agricultural exports, a Moscow chief says. diplomats suggested on Friday.
The deal, negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey in July, will unblock cargo stuck in closed and mined ports in Ukraine, easing the threat of rising food prices and starvation in some countries.
Another agreement was aimed at promoting the export of Russian fertilizers and grains. The Russian government has repeatedly complained that the deal has not gone well for Russian agricultural exports, which have struggled to enter global markets due to Western sanctions.
At a joint press conference with Turkish foreign ministers, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that Russia had agreed to extend the agreement last month.
“After we extended the deal for 120 days, we saw no indication that those issues could be solved and grew tired of appealing to the conscience of those who determine it,” Lavrov said of Moscow’s dissatisfaction. ”We made a small escalatory move and offered to extend the deal only for 60 days on the assumption that if there is no change in removing the obstacles to the exports of Russian fertilizers and grain, we would think whether the deal is needed.”
Experts say private shipping and insurance companies remain cautious about handling Russian commodities amid the war in Ukraine, although Russian wheat shipments were at or near record highs in November, December and January, according to financial data provider Refinitiv.
Lavrov said the West has effectively blocked the U.N-Turkey agreement on Russian agricultural exports and “that’s why we’ve asked for letters of comfort from certain governments.”
Instead of agreeing to another extension later this year, Russia may decide to cooperate directly with Turkey and Qatar to ensure grain gets to the countries that need it.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, whose country joined the U.N. and Ukraine in pressing for a 120-day extension before the deal on Ukrainian exports expired last month, said he and Lavrov “agreed that the obstacles to the export of Russian grain and fertilizer should be removed immediately.”
“We value the continuation of the deal,” Cavusoglu said. “This is not only important for Ukraine’s and Russia’s grain and fertilizer exports. It is also important to mitigate the global food crisis, especially the one facing every household in the world. “
Lavrov’s warning echoed that of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said last month that Moscow could end its participation in the initiative if conditions are not met. Putin said he expected Russia to boost exports of its agricultural products as part of a package deal.
Lavrov and Cavusoglu also discussed Russia’s efforts to achieve reconciliation between Turkey and Syria. Earlier this week, Moscow welcomed deputy foreign ministers from Turkey, Syria and Iran to promote reconciliation.
Turkey has backed armed opposition groups that sought to overthrow the government of President Bashar Assad during the Syrian civil war. Turkey controls large areas of northwestern Syria, and Damascus is pushing for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria as a condition of normalizing relations.
Turkey seeks security guarantees, including ties to Syrian Kurdish fighters whom Turkey considers terrorists.
