Russia has threatened to finish the worldwide settlement on grain exports from Ukraine.
During a go to to Turkey, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasised that Russia wouldn’t prolong the settlement with out facilitating its personal agricultural exports. “If there is still no movement in dismantling barriers to the export of Russian fertilizer and grain, we will consider whether we need the agreement,” Lavrov was quoted as saying by the state news company TASS.
If the West doesn’t give in, Russia may resume the blockade of the Ukrainian Black Sea ports. Addressing the West, Lavrov added: “Let them continue to ship the relevant goods from Ukraine overland by rail or by river.” Russia will then work with Turkey and Qatar to promote its agricultural items on the world market. The plans for this have already been mentioned.
Agreement runs till subsequent month
The present settlement expires with out an extension in the midst of subsequent month. After the beginning of its warfare of aggression in opposition to Ukraine in February final yr, Russia had blocked the Ukrainian Black Sea ports for months, thereby stopping grain exports. Ukraine is among the most vital exporters worldwide. As a end result, there have been fears of a starvation disaster, particularly in poorer international locations.
An settlement was then negotiated in the summertime, mediated by Turkey and the United Nations. Since then, in accordance with Turkish info, greater than 27 million tons of Ukrainian grain have entered the world market. The settlement, initially concluded for 120 days, has been prolonged twice, the final time just for 60 days. Russia has repeatedly threatened to scrap the settlement. This can be justified by the truth that the nation’s personal exports of grain and fertilizer are being hampered by western sanctions.
Türkiye anxious about potential escalation
At a press convention after assembly Lavrov, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu expressed concern that the warfare between Russia and Ukraine may intensify within the spring. The Turkish authorities will proceed to attempt to finish the warfare via negotiations, Cavusoglu mentioned.
In response to questions from journalists, Lavrov was in precept open to talks about an finish to the warfare. However, negotiations should be primarily based on taking Russian pursuits into consideration, he mentioned.
After the talks with Cavusoglu, a gathering with the Turkish head of state Recep Tayyip Erdogan can be on Lavrov’s agenda.
Source: www.nationalturk.com
