Russia says ammonia pipeline blast may affect grain deal
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin comments on the recent explosion at the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline, which was considered an integral part of the grain agreement.
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A view shows the dam destroyed at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant in Novaya Kakhovka, Ukraine, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (TASS)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin blamed Ukraine for a blast on a key ammonia pipeline and warned that it could affect the consultations to renew the grain export deal, as per RIA news agency.
Concurrently, Russia's Ambassador to Turkey said Moscow continues consultations with the United Nations on the Black Sea grain deal. However, there are no grounds to extend it, RIA reported.
The initial 120-day agreement was extended once in November and was due to expire on March 18, but it was extended for two additional months and then another two on May 18.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Vershinin during a meeting of the UN Security Council (Reuters)
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that the recent explosion at the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline adds to the complications possibly hindering the extension of the grain deal.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of blowing up the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline in Kharkov, with some casualties reported.
On his part, speaking to reporters in Moscow, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "We do not know what kind of destruction there is. We do not know what the Ukrainian side is going to do with this line. But you know that this topic was mentioned as an integral part of the part of the deal that concerned us. Therefore, let's just say, this is another aspect that complicates the situation in terms of prolonging the deal."
Peskov further noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin "keeps the situation in the Kherson Region under control after the sabotage at the dam and the explosion of the dam."
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Moreover, Peskov explained that "[Putin] instructed the Ministry of Emergency Situations to strengthen its presence there and provide assistance to people and also actively engage in work to eliminate the consequences of this disaster."
Putin has no plans to convene a meeting in the Kherson Region following the sabotage, according to Peskov, who also emphasized that emergency personnel are working tirelessly in the region to cope with the consequences of the attack on the Kakhovka HPP despite ongoing shelling.
