Russia is under pressure not only to extend the corridor, but also to improve its operation, the Ministry of Infrastructure noted.
Negotiations on the extension of the agreement on the Black Sea Grain Corridor will begin in a week. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Yuriy Vaskov, Reuters reports on Friday, February 17.
“Negotiations on extending the grain corridor will begin in a week, and then we will understand the positions of all parties,” Vaskov said during a grain conference in Kyiv.
At the same time, he expressed hope “that common sense will prevail and the corridor will be expanded.”
The official added, without going into details, that Russia is under pressure not only to extend the corridor, but also to improve its operation.
“We see that the enemy is beginning to put forward new conditions. We understand that it will be difficult – as it was in November,” Vaskov said.
As you know, on July 22, 2022, Ukraine, Russia, the UN and Turkey signed an agreement that unblocked the export of Ukrainian grain by the Black Sea. The first ship with grain left the port of Odessa on August 1. In November, the deal was extended. In total, Ukraine shipped 21 million tons of agricultural products by sea .
But this week it became known that Moscow considers it “unreasonable” to extend the grain deal unless sanctions on Russia that affect its agricultural exports are lifted.
The UN acknowledged that there are difficulties with the grain initiative , but it is not blocked, and work is underway to continue it. The deal is due to be renewed in March.
In turn, Ukraine stated that Russia was deliberately blocking the grain deal .
source: korrespondent