Russia Has No Role In Grain Deal Renewal Talks

Russia says its representatives have not yet taken part in negotiations on extending the Black Sea grain deal, which was a rare agreement between Russia and Ukraine despite the conflict, Uliana Pavlova and Duarte Mendonca reported for CNN.

Photo Insert: Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told journalists Russia had no participation in discussions pertaining to the renewal of the grain deal.

“Negotiations regarding this topic, especially with the participation of Russian representatives, were not conducted,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told journalists.

Repeating a Russian complaint about the agreement, Zakharova said that “only the Ukrainian part has been effectively implemented so far, and Russian agricultural exports continue to be blocked as a result of Western unilateral sanctions.”

The next round of talks on extending the Black Sea grain initiative will take place in Geneva, Switzerland on March 13 between Russia's delegation and United Nations (UN) representatives.

Much importance is placed on grain exports as Ukraine and Russia are both big suppliers of food to the world.

Normally, Ukraine -- known as one of the globe’s breadbaskets -- would export around three-quarters of the grain it produces. Data from the European Commission (EC) showed about 90% of these exports were shipped by sea from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

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