Russia is not ready to renew the grain agreement: the Foreign Ministry gave the reason
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The Russian Foreign Ministry said that they currently see no prerequisites for the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Moscow links a possible return to the agreement with changes in the West’s sanctions policy.
This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Grushko on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.
According to him, the Russian side does not observe any changes in sanctions that could create conditions for the renewal of agreements.
Grushko also reiterated Moscow’s position on the reasons for withdrawing from the grain agreement. Russia claims that the agreements did not provide it with access to world markets for the export of raw materials and fertilizers, as well as the ability to make corresponding payments.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the UN and Turkey, allowed Ukraine to export grain through Black Sea ports. Russia withdrew from the agreement in July 2023.
At the same time, in 2026, Russian attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure are already making grain exports more difficult. As a result, Ukrainian farmers may receive less money to prepare for the 2027 sowing campaign.
Alternative routes — by rail, road, and through Danube ports — are unable to fully compensate for the potential of Black Sea exports. According to Kernel CEO Yevgeny Osypov, without solving the export problem, Ukraine may not sow about 20% of its area, which would potentially lead to the loss of about 12 million tons of food grain.
It was previously reported that Turkey has intensified negotiations with Ukraine and Russia on a new security mechanism to restore the grain corridor in the Black Sea. Ankara has already presented a plan for the safe passage of ships and maintains contacts with both sides, but there is no agreement yet.
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