Zelenskyy calls on Turkey and the UN to extend the “grain deal” in a trilateral format without Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent letters to Turkey and the United Nations with a proposal to extend the grain deal despite Russia’s withdrawal from it. The head of state announced this in his evening video address.

According to the President, the agreement on grain exports – an agreement with Turkey and the UN – remains in force. The only thing that is needed now is its careful implementation and the world’s decisive pressure on Russia.

“I have sent official letters to the President of Turkey and the UN Secretary General with a proposal to continue the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative or its analog in a trilateral format, as it is the most reliable. Ukraine, the UN and Turkey can jointly ensure the operation of the food corridor and ship inspections,” he emphasized.

Zelenskyy noted that the continuation of Ukrainian exports is necessary for everyone in the world. And every state that supports this will become a “life saver.”

As reported, the day before, the Russian Foreign Ministry officially announced that without Russia’s participation, the Black Sea Initiative would cease to function on July 18.

Among the main reasons for refusing to extend the grain deal, the ministry cited a ban on the import of spare parts and equipment for the production of agricultural products and fertilizers into Russia, and the freezing of accounts of Russian agricultural companies.

It is also noted that the conditions for the resumption of the Togliati-Odesa ammonia pipeline and the connection of Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international system have not been met.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had agreed with Russian President Putin to extend the “grain deal” that allows the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports. But Moscow later denied the Turkish president’s statements.

Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres offered President Putin to extend the grain deal in exchange for connecting a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international payment system.

At the same time, on July 13, Putin once again stated that Russia’s requirements for extending the agreement were not being met, but noted that Russia had not yet made a final decision to withdraw from it. At the same time, a week ago, the Russian Foreign Ministry actually confirmed the blocking of ships entering the “grain corridor”, saying that all ships must leave it by July 18.

Tags: Ukraine, Turkey, UN, Black Sea grain corridor