Source: Tough situation in negotiations around grain deal

ANKARA, Aug 31 (PRIME) -- The negotiations on a restart of the Black Sea Grain Initiative are difficult, and escalation of tensions in the Ukrainian conflict is reflected in the stances of countries, a source that takes part in the negotiations told PRIME on Thursday.

When asked about the situation in the negotiations, the source said, “It is difficult, very difficult.”

“Of course, everything that we see (in the Ukrainian conflict) right now reflects oin the negotiations). But the process is going on.”

The source also said that Ankara has almost finished drafting the parameters of its project for processing of Russian grain for further delivery to the poor countries, and supplies could start really soon.

“This initiative has been under discussion for some time, and Ankara announced its support of this idea and of its readiness to help at the official level. Preparation of its parameters has almost been finished, some of the remaining details are to be discussed at the highest level. A swift implementation of the project is absolutely possible and the supplies could start soon,” the person said without elaborating on the project’s financial aspects.

Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the U.N. coordinated the Black Sea Grain Initiative that encompassed exports of Ukrainian grain and food through the Black Sea ports in July 2022.

Moscow left the deal on July 18, 2023. Putin said in August that Russia was ready to return to the grain deal in case of switching the Russian Agricultural Bank to SWIFT.

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