Report: Grain deal depends on Moscow’s satisfaction – official

ANKARA, Apr 5 (PRIME) -- Prolongation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative depends on satisfaction of Moscow’s expectations regarding exports of its agricultural products, spokesman for the Turkish president Ibrahim Kalin said in an interview to newswire Anadolu published on Wednesday.

“The thing that has happened recently, and I mean prolongation for 60 days instead of 120 days, is a consequence of the obstacles that the Russian side’s exports of its products encountered on the markets. They are right that they are unable to receive the services that had been previously coordinated with the U.N. including logistics, servicing, and others,” Kalin said as quoted by Anadolu.

No sanctions have been officially imposed on Ukrainian or Russian grain, but the international shipping, logistics, and insurance companies fear sanctions. Turkey calls on the U.S. and E.U. representatives to ease the concerns and provide guarantees, as Russian grain is vital in prevention of the global food crisis, he said.

“Russia produces 150 million tonnes of grain per year, and exports 50–60 million tonnes. We are in contact with the Russian side and the U.N., and if Russia’s expectations are satisfied, I think we will be able to talk about prolongation of the deal’s terms,” he said.

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