Russia sees no arguments for grain deal rollover

MOSCOW, Jun 30 (PRIME) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday he saw no arguments in favor of prolonging the grain deal.

"I cannot see what arguments those, who want to prolong this Black Sea Initiative propose since it, as I’ve said, has become commercial a long time ago in the part concerning Ukrainian grain," Lavrov said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said earlier that Russia would pursue ending the deal on July 18.

Russia's requirements for prolongation, including resumption of operation of the Tolyatti–Odessa ammonia pipeline, reconnection of Russian Agricultural Bank to SWIFT and lifting restrictions on supplies of spare parts for agricultural equipment to Russia, were not fulfilled.

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