Russia says could return to grain deal until mid-October

MOSCOW, Jul 19 (PRIME) -- The Black Sea Grain Initiative will remain in force for three months after Russia's objection to its prolongation, and Moscow sees it as the deadline for fulfillment of its terms, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday.

Russia sent an objection against an automatic rollover on Monday and stopped implementing the Black Sea Grain Initiative on Tuesday, but promised a return when its conditions are met. The ministry said that under the deal terms, a side should notify of an intent to terminate the agreement three months before of the due date.

"This is why the U.N. Secretariat has as many as 90 days to continue efforts to normalize Russian agricultural exports," the statement read. Russia also received a promise of reconnection of an affiliate of Russian Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT messaging system within that term.

Ukraine's Ambassador in Ankara Vasily Bodnar said that the country is considering a new grain transportation route, across the territorial waters of Bulgaria and Romania.

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