A UN spokesperson said today, Friday, that the international organization has been assisting in boosting Russian food and fertilizer exports by facilitating the regular flow of ships to its ports and reducing shipping and insurance costs. UN Trade Chief Rebecca Grynspan met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin in Geneva today, as Moscow threatens to withdraw from an agreement allowing the safe export of food and fertilizers from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea on July 17 if obstacles to its exports are not removed.
To persuade Moscow to agree to the deal known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was mediated by the UN and Turkey last July, a simultaneous three-year agreement was reached in which UN officials agreed to help Russia export its food and fertilizer products. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that "the past months have shown tangible progress" in enhancing Russian exports, but added that "there are still some challenges, and we will spare no effort to overcome all remaining obstacles."
Russian food and fertilizer exports are not subject to the sanctions imposed by the West on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022; however, Moscow states that restrictions on payment systems, logistics, and insurance present barriers to exporting. The Russian Ambassador to Turkey stated today that Moscow continues consultations with the UN regarding the grain export agreement through the Black Sea, but there is no reason to extend its validity beyond July 17.
Dujarric mentioned that UN officials will continue to focus in the coming weeks on trying to enhance Russian food and fertilizer exports before July 17. He went on to say, "The UN remains firmly committed to working towards global food security by ensuring the availability of essential food and fertilizers in global markets and providing them at affordable prices for all."
