Speaking at a meeting with Russian war correspondents, President Putin pointed out that in reality, most of Ukraine's grain was being shipped to prosperous countries in the European Union (EU), not to African countries, which was contrary to the agreement. President Putin stressed that Russia agreed to the above grain deal in order to support food for developing countries and also to have sanctions imposed on Russia's agricultural sector lifted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: AP

In addition, the Russian leader said that sea corridors were established for the safe passage of grain-exporting ships through the Black Sea, but the Ukrainian side uses these corridors to deploy naval drones.

According to President Putin, for the above reasons, Russia is considering withdrawing from the agreement. He emphasized that in case of withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia will provide the poorest countries with free grain equivalent to the amount of grain provided by Ukraine.

The Black Sea Grains Initiative agreement was reached in July 2022 under the auspices of the United Nations and Turkey to help address the global food crisis exacerbated by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the world's top grain exporter. The agreement has been extended three times, and according to the latest extension on May 18, the agreement will expire on July 17.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently expressed concern about the possibility of Russia withdrawing from the initiative, while affirming that the United Nations is making efforts to maintain the agreement as well as ensure favorable conditions for exporting Russian goods.

VNA