UN asks Putin to extend grain deal in exchange for SWIFT access - media

That's according to Reuters, Ukrinform reports.

Guterres has proposed to Putin that Russia allow the Black Sea grain deal to continue for several months, giving the EU time to connect a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT, two sources familiar with discussions said.

According to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, Guterres sent a letter to Putin on Tuesday proposing a way forward to further facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the continued Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain.

"The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea," Dujarric told reporters.

He gave no further details on the proposal, but added that Guterres was engaged with all relevant parties on the issue and was willing to further discuss his proposal with Russia.

An EU spokesperson said in May the EU was not considering reinstating Russian banks.

However, the EU is considering connecting to SWIFT a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to allow specifically for grain and fertilizer transactions, three sources familiar with discussions told Reuters.

On July 8, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky that the Turkish authorities were working to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative and making every effort to extend its duration for two years.

The Black Sea grain deal expires on July 17. Russia has already stated that it does not intend to extend the agreement and demands that part of the sanctions be lifted.