Spokesman: Russia considering withdrawal from grain deal

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was considering withdrawal from the grain deal because there was no progress in meeting Moscow's conditions.

"This manifestation of goodwill and political will cannot be endless. That is why it is being considered. There has been no progress so far," Peskov said during a press conference on June 14, Kommersant reports.

When asked whether Russia could pull out of the deal early or only after it expires, he replied, "After it expires". It expires on July 17.

Meanwhile, presidential aide Nikolai Ushakov told reporters that Russia, of course, "is not satisfied with the way the terms of this deal are fulfilled." "And in this context, of course, we will think about whether or not to continue extending this deal," he said.

Ushakov added that Vladimir Putin would receive a delegation from African states in St. Petersburg on June 17. The parties are expected to discuss the grain deal as well.

"African leaders are interested in permanent supplies of grain to the continent. So far it has not been possible within the framework of the aforementioned 'Istanbul deal'. Of course, they are concerned about this," the presidential aide concluded.

The grain deal is an agreement between Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye and the United Nations on the export of grain from the Black Sea ports, signed on July 22, 2022. The second part of the agreement is a memorandum between Russia and the UN on lifting restrictions on exports of Russian agricultural products. The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed to the need to solve "five systemic problems”. On June 13, Vladimir Putin said that Russia was thinking about withdrawing from the grain deal.