Resuming grain deal without Russia would be 'dangerous': Peskov
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Russia confirms its preparation to compensate at its own expense for the undelivered grain supplies that were due to reach African countries.
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Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (TASS)
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday, in light of Russia's suspension of the grain deal, that enforcing the agreement without his country's participation would be "dangerous".
"In conditions where Russia talks about the impossibility of guaranteeing the safety of navigation in these areas, such deal is hardly feasible. And it takes on a different character, much more risky, dangerous," Peskov stated.
Russia willing to compensate for poorest states dependent on grains
According to Peskov, Russia is prepared to compensate at its own expense for the undelivered grain supplies that were due to reach African countries but didn't, as ships that were supposed to sail through the safe corridor under the UN-brokered grain deal remained stuck following Ukraine's attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet using western drones.
"There was also a statement by our Minister of Agriculture, Dmitry Patrushev, who spoke of the readiness to compensate for the shortfall in volumes for the poorest countries. Again, I take this opportunity to remind you that only a small share of the total grain supplied in the course of this transaction accounted for the poorest countries, the rest was received by non-poor countries that are located in Europe," Peskov relayed to reporters.
However, according to a report by a marine traffic website, two cargo ships carrying grain and other agricultural products left Ukrainian ports on Monday, a few days after Russia suspended its participation in the grain deal.
Alongside the ships named Admiral de Ribas and Mount Baker, the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) responsible for overseeing the implementation of the grain deal confirmed that 12 ships are bound to follow and leave ports on Monday.
Russia resumes contact with grain partners
Peskov confirmed that talks were resumed between Russia, Turkey, and the UN regarding the grain deal. "Contacts with the Turkish side, as well as with the UN, are continuing through diplomatic agencies," Peskov commented.
Russia accused Kiev of a "massive" drone attack on its Black Sea vessels, which Ukraine responded to by calling it a "false pretext", prompting Russia to suspend the deal. US President Joe Biden called the Russian step "purely outrageous" and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Moscow was "weaponizing food".
Earlier Monday, the Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Center (JCC) relayed that the trio - Ukraine, Turkey, and the UN - agreed on the traffic route for 16 ships in the Black Sea on October 31 under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Russia pointed fingers at UK "specialists" for aiding in the preparation and execution of the strike, in addition to having a hand in explosions that targeted the Nord Stream gas pipelines last month. The UK replied by rejecting the claims, stating that "the Russian Ministry of Defence is resorting to peddling false claims of an epic scale."
