13 Mar 2023 20:00

Russia doesn't object to extending grain deal beyond March 18, but only for 60 days - Russian deputy FM

MOSCOW. March 13 (Interfax) - Russia has no objections to extending the grain deal, but only for 60 days, the further stance will be determined depending on real progress in the normalization of Russian agricultural exports, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said.

"In this regard, the Russian side, noting the 'package' nature of the Istanbul Agreements proposed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, does not object to another extension of the Black Sea Initiative after its second term expiration on March 18, but only for 60 days," Vershinin said in a statement issued following consultations between a Russian interdepartmental delegation and UN representatives in Geneva.

"Our further stance will be determined upon the tangible progress on normalization of our agricultural exports, not it words, but in deeds. It includes bank payments, transport logistics, insurance, 'unfreezing' of financial activities and ammonia supplies via the Tolyatti-Odessa pipeline," the Russian deputy foreign minister said.