Moscow: Difficulties with inspections under grain deal due to Kiev
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The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson blames Kiev and the UN's actions on the difficulties in conducting inspections of ships.
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova speaks during the annual news conference of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Russia January 14, 2022 (Reuters)
According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, difficulties in performing ship inspections under the grain deal are purely due to the acts of Ukrainian and UN personnel.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Zakharova said the "joint coordination center in Istanbul is indeed experiencing difficulties with the registration of new vessels and the conduct of inspections. They arise solely as a result of the actions of Ukrainian representatives, as well as the UN that, apparently, does not want or cannot resist them."
Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey signed an UN-brokered agreement on July 22, 2022, to establish a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships transporting food and fertilizers from Ukrainian Black Sea ports. The agreement, which was called the Black Sea Grain Initiative, is generally known as the Grain Deal.
Read more: World needs Russia grain regardless of states' attitude to Moscow: WFP
Zakharova pointed out that Kiev wants to exploit the Black Sea Grain Initiative by abusing the protocols of the procedure, or demanding bribes from shipowners, in order to "maximize commercial profits."
As a result of such activities, the percentage of Ukrainian food receivers in need has dropped to a bare minimum — only 742,000 (2.6%) of the 28.3 million tons of exported grain.
"Under these conditions, the only way to somehow restore order, a fair and transparent basis for participation in the initiative was the registration of ships, which Russian experts carry out strictly within the approved rules of procedure and their respective powers," the Russian diplomat said.
According to Zakharova, Russia's suggestion to add ships to the registration lists that would then travel to nations in need, as well as those who have been in line for more than a month, "was met with hostility" by Ukrainian delegates.
