According to Guterres, “I deeply regret the Russian Federation’s decision to terminate the Black Sea Initiative’s implementation, including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.”
Guterres promised to keep allowing the transfer of food and fertilizer from Russia and Ukraine.
The Black Sea grain export agreement had been suspended by Moscow, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, just before its expiration.
Peskov was quoted by local media as saying, “Unfortunately, the part of these Black Sea agreements that concerns Russia has not yet been implemented, so its effect is terminated.” Regarding the improvement of its own grain and fertilizer exports, Russia has been grumbling that its expectations had not been met.
Peskov stated that when the Russian portion of the accord is completed, the nation would instantly recommit to the agreement.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was signed independently by Russia and Ukraine, Turkey, and the UN in July 2022, permitted Ukraine to export grain and other agricultural products from its Black Sea ports.
The initiative’s initial 120-day validity was increased to another 120 days, or until March 18, 2023, in the middle of November 2022.
Then, Russia consented to extend the agreement for just 60 days. Russia agreed to extend the agreement for an additional 60 days on May 17.
