Grain deal suspension is 'final', no more talks: Russia
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US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, calls the decision an "act of cruelty" although all that the US is sending to poorer countries amounts to less than 10% of the grain and corn.
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Russian First Deputy Representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy at the UN Headquarters in New York, US, on February 6, 2023 (AP)
Russian First Deputy Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy announced on Monday that Russia's suspension of the Grain Deal is final and as of now, there will be no further talks.
When asked about possible upcoming negotiations, Polyanskiy said, "Not to my knowledge."
Russia's Ambassador to Belarus, Boris Gryzlov, stated that a note was sent from the embassy to Ukraine via diplomatic connections to notify them that the deal would be terminated on July 18.
This comes after Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, announced that the agreements underlying the contentious Black Sea Grain Deal have been "terminated", adding that it will return to the agreement as soon as all parties involved take the previously agreed-upon procedures.
According to Peskov, "The Russian Federation will return to the deal as soon as the Russian prerequisites are met... The Grain Deal has come to a halt," he said, emphasizing that the other signatories had yet to honor some of the agreement's stipulations regarding Russia.
'The world needs it'
In response to the announcement, US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said on Monday that the decision is an "act of cruelty."
"Russia has dealt another blow to the world's most vulnerable, this time by suspending its participation in the Black Sea grain initiative. This is really another act of cruelty," she told reporters, as she called on UN member states to appeal for Russia to reverse its decision because "the world needs it."
"The world needs the Black Sea Grain Initiative and all member states must come together and urge Russia to reverse this decision, resume negotiations to extend, expand and fully implement this initiative."
On his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that millions of people facing hunger will "pay the price" of Russia's decision to exit the Ukraine grain deal.
He told reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York that the move by Moscow will "strike a blow to people in need everywhere."
"Hundreds of millions of people face hunger and consumers are confronting a global cost-of-living crisis. They will pay the price," Guterres said.
The UN chief added that he deeply regretted Russia's decision but added it would not stop the world body's efforts to "facilitate the unimpeded access" to global markets of food and fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia.
"Looking ahead, our goal must continue to be advancing global food security and global food price stability."
"This will remain the focus of my efforts, taking into account the rise in human suffering that will inevitably result from today's decision," he said.
Guterres lamented that a letter he had sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week with a new proposal to keep the initiative alive "went unheeded".
Meanwhile, China's ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, expressed hope of finding a common ground to move forward and specifically mentioned that Russia had concerns.
"We still hope that you know, by accommodating the concerns of all parties ... then we can find a package solution," Zhang said.
As for Europe, European Council President Charles Michel expressed on Monday that he regretted Russia's decision as it would put global food security at risk.
"The Black Sea Grain Initiative has benefited millions around the globe. I regret Russia's announcement today. This will endanger food security & access of populations worldwide to grain and fertilizer supplies," Michel posted on Twitter.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative has benefited millions around the globe.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) July 17, 2023
I regret Russia's announcement today. This will endanger food security & access of populations worldwide to grain and fertilizer supplies.
I support efforts of @UN SG @antonioguterres to pursue its extension.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also critical on Twitter, saying she "strongly condemn[s] Russia’s cynical move to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite UN & Turkiye’s efforts."
I strongly condemn Russia’s cynical move to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite UN & Türkiye’s efforts.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 17, 2023
EU is working to ensure food security for the world’s vulnerable. #EUSolidarityLanes will continue bringing agrifood products out of Ukraine & to global…
Read more: Turkey proposes options to transfer Russian grain to poor countries
The UN-brokered deal, signed by Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine on July 22, 2022, was set to expire today after awaiting an extension aimed to provide a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships transporting agriproducts to sail from Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
Earlier, international watchdogs have repeatedly warned that the lion's share of the food produce was delivered to the West, while poor countries combined received less than one-third of exports, with nothing done by the international community to this end.
The UN itself admitted the disproportionality through its coordinator who maintained that developing and impoverished nations received only 10 percent of corn and 40 percent of wheat, while rich countries obtained 90 percent of corn and 60 percent of wheat.
