Russia supports the resumption of the Black Sea Agricultural Export Initiative, but in a form more acceptable to all countries. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, quoted by state media.

"We are in favor of resuming in some form - more acceptable to all - the Black Sea Initiative," the minister said. He noted that the issue had been a priority at the talks with the United States in Riyadh.

"Our position is simple: we cannot trust this man's words," Lavrov stressed, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his words, Russia wants "the grain market and the fertilizer market to be predictable" so that no one tries to remove Russian Federation from them. Moscow, Lavrov continued, is concerned about the food situation in Africa and other countries in the global South that have suffered from "the West's games".

Russia's top diplomat urged the USA to give Kiev "the order" for a new agreement on Black Sea shipping, saying Moscow wanted an agreement with fewer restrictions on its exports. 

The Black Sea Initiative, also known as the Grain Deal, was terminated in July 2023 after Moscow withdrew from it. | BGNES