MFA Ukraine “99.9% confident” Russia to withdraw from Grain Initiative in July

Ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on special assignments, coordinator of the Council of Exporters and Investors Olha Trofimtseva has expressed confidence that Russia will quit the Grain Initiative as early as July.

Trofimtseva stated this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"Grain Corridor. 99.9% positive Russia withdraw in July," she emphasized.

The ambassador attributed such a possibility of Russia's exit from the agreements to the fact that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye won the elections, and also that the Russian oligarch Dmytro Mazepin reported to Vladimir Putin that the terminal for the export of ammonia from Russia is almost completed, therefore the Toliatti-Odesa ammonia pipe is already not so important to Russia.

As reported, Russia is threatening to withdraw from the grain agreement if it fails to resume ammonia pumping through the Toliatti-Odesa pipeline and also if restrictions on its exports are not partially lifted.

The Government of Ukraine reported the actual blocking of the grain initiative by the Russian side. The Russian Federation is openly sabotaging the inspection of vessels, which has reduced the throughput capacity of the grain corridor to less than 20% of its total.

Russia confirmed its commitment to the agreement late May, extending its validity for 60 days, until July 17.

The grain deal was concluded in July last year with the participation of Ukraine, Türkiye, and the UN, as well as separately - Türkiye, the UN. and Russia. The agreements guarantee the safe passage of vessels carrying Ukrainian grain, which is ensured by the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, which includes representatives from all parties.