UN says Russia limits registration of vessels under grain deal in absence of ammonia exports

NEW YORK, UN. June 2 (Interfax) - Russia has notified the Joint Coordination Center of limiting the registration of vessels heading for the Ukrainian port of Yuzhny until Russian ammonia exports are resumed, Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.

"The Russian Federation has informed the JCC of its decision to limit registrations to the port of Yuzhny, as long as ammonia is not exported," Dujarric said.

The number of such registrations has been reduced to two from three since May 22, Dujarric said.

The grain deal was signed in Istanbul on July 22, 2022. The UN, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine signed two documents to open a grain corridor from three Ukrainian ports (Chernomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny) and to lift restrictions on Russian food and fertilizer exports.

On Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said that the resolution of the Russian ammonia export problem is part of the agreements under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and there are no reasons to set new terms for relaunching the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline.

Kiev is continuing attempts to put forward various preconditions for resuming Russian ammonia exports and "trying literally to wrangle out extra benefits through bargaining," he said.

The UN Secretariat, knowing about Russia's position, "is continuing to gamble on the ammonia theme, trying to create the appearance of some new efforts and contacts," he said.