There is still a chance to revive the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia makes a new proposal

The United Nations and Türkiye are working hard to restore the Black Sea Grains Initiative as soon as possible. Russia has expressed its willingness to consider resuming the Initiative, but has set a number of conditions.

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United Nations, Türkiye continue to call on Russia to resume the Black Sea Grains Initiative. (Source: United Nations)

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on September 1 that he had sent Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov specific proposals to restore the Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement, which allows safe export of Ukrainian grain through Black Sea ports.

Mr. António Guterres said that his proposal could be the basis for reviving the agreement, but did not elaborate on the content of the proposal. Mr. António Guterres said that the UN proposal is a concrete solution that will allow Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to reach the global market at reasonable prices.

Meanwhile, after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Moscow, Sergei Lavrov said Russia would consider resuming participation in the initiative if Russia's requirements for improving grain and fertilizer exports are met.

Russia's demands include reconnecting the Russian Agricultural Bank to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) system, resuming supplies of agricultural machinery and spare parts, lifting the port access ban and other issues.

Hakan Fidan reiterated the importance of the UN-brokered agreement allowing the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. He also noted Russia's demands regarding the export of its products.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan are expected to meet on September 4 to discuss grain exports across the Black Sea.

The United Nations and Türkiye have brokered the Black Sea Grains Initiative deal to help address the global food crisis exacerbated by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, two major global grain exporters.

Within the framework of the initiative reached in July 2022, the United Nations and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding on facilitating the supply of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to world markets.

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