Netherlands disappointed that Russia blocks extension of grain deal

“It is disappointing that Russia obstructs the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Extending the deal is important to prevent food prices from rising and to avoid market destabilization,” Hoekstra posted on Twitter.

The minister noted that the Netherlands urges Russia to resume the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative without delay.

“It is utterly immoral that Russia continues to weaponise food. The Netherlands urges Russia to resume the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative without delay. We support the UN, the European Commission, and Türkiye in their efforts to find a solution,” he added.

As reported, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned Russia's termination of the grain agreement.

According to her, the EU is working to ensure food security for the world’s vulnerable. EU Solidarity Lanes will continue bringing agrifood products out of Ukraine to global markets.

The Russian side on Monday sent Türkiye, Ukraine, and the UN its objections to the extension of the grain agreement and de facto terminated its validity.

The last vessel within the UN-brokered agreement, which allows the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, left Odesa port on the morning of Sunday, July 16.

The Black Sea Grain Agreement was concluded in July 2022. For this purpose, two documents were signed: with the participation of the UN, Türkiye, and Ukraine, and separately – the UN, Türkiye, and Russia.

Putin has repeatedly threatened not to extend the agreement, demanding to lift sanctions and obstacles imposed on Russian exports.

Moscow's main demand was to restore Rosselkhozbank's access to the SWIFT international banking network, from which the EU excluded Russia in June 2022 over its invasion of Ukraine.

President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent a letter to Putin last week offering to extend the agreement by several months to give the EU time to connect Rosselkhozbank's subsidiary to SWIFT.