GRAIN DEAL MAY BE EXTENDED IF RUSSIA’S INTERESTS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT

Wed 01 March 2023:

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said, on Wednesday, that Moscow would only agree to extend the Black Sea grain deal, which allows grain to be safely exported from Ukrainian ports, if the interests of its agricultural producers are taken into account, Reuters reports.

“(The) Russian side stressed that continuing the package agreement on grain is possible only if the interests of Russian agricultural and fertiliser producers in terms of unhindered access to world markets are taken into account,” it said.

The Black Sea grain deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkiye, is up for renewal again this month, but Russia has signalled that it is unhappy with some aspects of the deal.

Could Be Used For Other Purposes

The ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk participating in the grain deal could be used to deliver radioactive materials to Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

Moscow has taken note of reports circulating in a number of Ukrainian media, internet resources and social networks about the delivery of radioactive materials to the ports of the Odesa region, the diplomat said in a statement.

“It cannot but cause concern that such events are taking place in the immediate vicinity of Transnistria, around which the Kiev regime deliberately escalates tension.

We must also not forget that the mentioned ports of Ukraine participate in the grain deal … are these harbors and the humanitarian corridor in general being used for some other purpose?” Zakharova said.

Earlier this week, the Russian Defense Ministry said that containers with radioactive substances were delivered from Europe to Ukraine for a provocation in order to accuse the Russian armed forces. Kiev continues to prepare for a large-scale provocation to accuse Russia of an alleged “gross violation” of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the ministry added.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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