Russia demands end of blockades to resume grain deal

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, said this Monday (September 4, 2023) that the country will return to the grain agreement only if the West removes the restrictions established against Russian agricultural products.

“I would like to reaffirm our principled position: we will be ready to consider the possibility of reviving the grain agreement and we will do this immediately, as soon as all agreements on lifting established restrictions on the export of Russian agricultural products are fully implemented”these.

The statement was given to journalists after the meeting with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, held in the Russian city of Sochi. Turkey, together with the UN (United Nations), was one of the mediators of the agreement for the export of grains through the Black Sea.

The negotiations were signed on July 22, 2022 and extended 3 times: in November of last year, in March and in May of this year.

It aims to avoid a global food crisis, as the agreement allowed the reopening of Ukrainian ports occupied by the Russian army in the south, freeing up the flow of tons of grain from Ukraine.

The blockade put in place at the beginning of the war caused food prices to rise around the world, increasing global shortages and compromising food security.

Russia dropped the measure on July 17, citing failure to comply with demands. Putin said this 2nd (4.set) that it was “forced” to make the decision because western countries “continue to block” access for Russian agricultural products to world markets.

“[Os países do Ocidente] refuse to lift sanctions against the export of our grains and fertilizers, to resume deliveries of agricultural machinery and spare parts to Russia, to eliminate problems with logistics and ship chartering, banking services and food supply insurance”these.

The Russian leader also said that the withdrawal of the agreement “did not affect” global food markets. “Grain prices continue to fall. There is no physical scarcity of food. Are there problems with fair distribution? Yes. But it has nothing to do with the so-called grain deal.”these.