Russia threatens to suspend Ukrainian grain export agreement

In Ankara, Turkey, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threatened to suspend the fragile agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain on Friday (April 7th). REUTERS - CAGLA GURDOGAN

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in Turkey on Friday, April 7, a NATO member that stands out for its good relations with Moscow and its role as mediator in the war in Ukraine. Sergey Lavrov met his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Cavusoglu. Both exchanged views on numerous bilateral and regional issues. But it was the war in Ukraine and the agreement on Ukrainian cereals that the ministers reserved most of their comments.

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With our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer

On March 18, after intense talks, Russia agreed to extend for sixty days the July 2022 agreement allowing Ukraine to export its grain via the Black Sea. Sixty days instead of 120, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, sponsor of the agreement with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, had hoped.

Russia complains about continuing barriers to its own exports of agricultural products and fertilizers. Even if these products are not subject to Western sanctions, they reduce Russian shippers' access to financing, insurance and ports. From Ankara, Sergey Lavrov indirectly threatened not to renew the agreement at the end of the 60 days:

« If they do not have the desire to honestly implement what UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed and persistently promoted, let them continue to ship products from Ukraine by land, rail and river. They have already set up the logistics. If necessary, we will work outside the scope of this initiative. We have the capacity to do that with Turkey and Qatar. The presidents have already discussed these plans. Our exports to countries in need will not be affected. I promise. »

At his side, his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Cavusoglu supported the Russian demands: "The United States and the United Kingdom have taken some initiatives on the issue of financing and insurance, but the problem persists. Similarly, some measures have been taken to export Russian fertilizers to African countries via some Western countries such as the Netherlands, Estonia or Latvia, but not everything is settled. We have to say it, we have to be fair. When we say that, some people ask us if we support Russia. No. The important thing is the continuation of this agreement.

Since its entry into force, the agreement has exported more than 27 million tonnes of maize, wheat and other cereals to world markets.

► Read also: Africa, first concerned by the extension of the Russian-Ukrainian agreement on cereals

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Read on on the same topics:

• Russia
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• Sergueï Lavrov
• Recep Tayyip Erdogan
• Agriculture and Fisheries
• Trade and Commerce