“The grain deal” has not yet been permanently terminated, the Russian Federation is ready to rejoin it as long as commitments to the Russian side are fulfilled, promised the assistant to the president of Russia, Yuri Ushakov.
“We are ready to return to participation only if the obligations that were accepted regarding Russia are being fulfilled in practice. The deal has not been finally canceled, it has only been suspended due to the failure of the Russian part of this package decision,” - Ushakov is quoted by Interfax.
On July 17, Russia officially notified Turkey, Ukraine, and the UN Secretariat of its protesting position regarding the extension of the Black Sea grain initiative. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the termination of the “grain deal” starting from July 18.
“The grain deal” was concluded in Istanbul on July 22, 2022. Two documents were signed at this event: on the creation of a corridor for grain exports from three Ukrainian ports (Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Yuzhny) and on the removal of barriers for the export of Russian food and fertilizer products. The initiative's validity period was extended in November 2022 for 120 days, until March, and then twice for two more months. However, the deadline expired on July 17.