Russia will resume grain deal Suspended

Kremlin today

After the CBP began in Ukraine on February 24, grain exports from the republic were stopped, and Black Sea ports were blocked. As you know, before the conflict Ukraine and Russia supplied to the world market more than a third of the volume of wheat, half of sunflower oil and a fifth of corn. Consequently, the suspension of supplies has led to rising prices and the threat of famine.

Source: autoparus.by

In May 2022, UN Secretary-General António Guterres proposed a grain deal. The initiative was endorsed by Turkey and China. The documents were signed in Istanbul in July 2022, but the deadline expired in mid-November, and the parties had the option to extend the deal for another 120 days. 

But even that was not without problems. As Russia found out, Third World countries did not receive even 10% of its wheat shipments. Ankara receives the smallest export share from Ukraine, and African and Middle Eastern countries receive less than 5-7%. Instead of wheat, Ukraine exported more expensive raw materials such as corn, barley and sunflower oil.

Source: news.rambler.ru

On the plus side: the deal allowed Ukrainian ports to operate, and hostilities in the Black Sea were stopped. And Russian ships escorted these ships along a green corridor between Odessa and Bosporus, providing security.

In Sevastopol Bay on October 29 ships of the Black Sea Fleet were attacked. Drones were launched from ships of Ukraine. The Russian military fought off the attack, destroying 16 drones. As a result, 218 ships involved in a grain deal were blocked. Russia was forced to suspend its participation in the agreement for its own security.

But NATO representatives urged Russia to reconsider its decision and rejoin the grain deal. Their desire was to deliver food “to those who need it most”. This idea was supported in the EU, the UN and other international forums. The main casualty after the breakdown of the agreement was Turkey. Ankara buys Ukrainian grain at a 25% discount. It is also the world’s number one exporter of flour and the number two exporter of pasta. So Turkey has played an important role in Russia’s comeback.

The resumption of the grain deal is a moment of truth for the Kiev regime. The deal has been renewed under the guarantee that there will be no provocations and no terrorist attacks. But there is a perception that Kiev will not hold out and break the promise. This would mean the impossibility of negotiations and the continuation of the special military operation.