Russia dashes hopes for grain deal revival over missing conditions
Photo: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko (Getty Images)
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that it currently sees no prerequisites for restoring the Black Sea Grain Initiative, according to a statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.
According to Grushko, Moscow ties any possible return to the agreement to the West’s position on sanctions.
He claims that the previous agreement ceased to be effective because, in the Russian side's view, conditions regarding access for Russian raw materials and fertilizers to global markets and the processing of payments were not fulfilled.
Answering the question of whether the Russian Foreign Ministry sees conditions for renewing the initiative, Grushko stated that he observes no changes in the West’s sanctions policy.
The agreement, mediated by the UN and Türkiye, allowed for the export of Ukrainian grain through Black Sea ports. Russia withdrew from the initiative in July 2023.
In 2026, Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports are already creating difficulties for grain exports. As a result, farmers are receiving less funding to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and fuel for the 2027 planting season.
Alternative routes via rail, road, and Danube ports cannot fully replace Black Sea routes. According to Kernel CEO Yevhen Osypov, without a solution for exports, Ukraine may fail to sow approximately 20% of its land, which would mean a shortfall of 12 million tons of food-grade grain.
