Russia wants to extend the deal with Ukraine on grain exports via the Black Sea by 60 days, the Kremlin said after consultations with the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Ukraine would prefer to see an extension of 120 days.
The agreement, signed last July, allows the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products despite the war. After difficult negotiations, the agreements were extended until March 18 in November.
So Russia has now announced that it will initially extend it for 60 days. The country does not want to think about a longer term until sanctions on the export of food and fertilizer are relaxed. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said in a statement.
Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said Monday evening that a 60-day extension does not fit the terms of the grain deal, which agreed extensions of at least 120 days.
“We are waiting for the official position of the United Nations and Turkey,” Kubrakov said. Those two parties are involved in setting up the grain deal.
Turkey said in a statement on Tuesday morning that negotiations on an extension of the grain deal are continuing. And the United Nations has also announced that talks with all parties are continuing.
Because Ukraine was able to export grain again as a result of the agreement, global food prices rose less quickly. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine over a year ago, large shortages threatened and prices rose. Grain prices have since returned to pre-war levels.
