Minister: Moscow wants Russian grain export terms in final deal

MOSCOW, Jul 20 (PRIME) -- Moscow has sent a signal to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres that it wants Russian grain exports included in the Istanbul agreements on the Ukrainian grain exports from the Black Sea, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told PRIME in an interview on Wednesday.

“We have agreed on the basic principles, under which the Ukrainian grain will be carried, but when our delegation reminded to outline the second package, the Ukrainians rejected it. The U.N. delegation simply kept silent shyly,” he said.“Yesterday we sent the signal to mister general secretary to say how can it be, it was your initiative. Let’s first decide on the Ukrainian grain and then on Russian. It's so dirty, it just doesn't suit the people who are engaged in big politics, but it's a fact.”

He said that Russia has been explaining for many months that fertilizers are not sanctioned, while Russian freight, insurance, ship entrances to the ports are under sanctions.

“Foreign ship entrances into our ports to take our cargo are under the first and second sanctions packages … this is why when they lie in our teeth and say that all this is not true and everything depends on you - it's dirty. Unfortunately, they have tried and are still trying to involve the U.N. secretary-general in their games.”

Lavrov separately said that if Europe refuses Russian fuel, it would not hurt Russia that  would retarget the sales.

“If they do this, we shall have no problems. The president said that because of what they are doing to Nord Stream-2, we are always ready to launch it,” Lavrov said.“It is under pressure. But already in the current situation 50% of the volumes meant for the pipeline were reserved for our internal consumption both for heating and for the chemical industry and other industrial goals. We will retarget it without serious losses. I don’t doubt it. We have the consumer, we have demand.”

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