Russian authorities trying to lift sanctions by threatening to terminate Istanbul grain agreements – Podoliak

KYIV. Sept 7 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The words of Russian President Vladimir Putin about the desire of the Russian Federation to terminate the Istanbul grain agreements on the export of agricultural products from Ukraine through the "grain corridor" are unfounded, but absolutely predictable, since in this way the Russian authorities are once again trying to lift the imposed sanctions.

"Energy, nuclear, migration, grain, Zaporizhia-nuclear and any other formats of direct blackmail periodically appear in the public rhetoric of the first persons of the Russian Federation, when something is clearly not going according to plan and it is necessary to stop Ukraine and the international community because of fear. Therefore, the current statements about the termination of the grain agreement are absolutely groundless and at the same time absolutely predictable. Because there is no objective basis for such actions or statements at all," adviser to the head of the President’s Office Mykhailo Podoliak told the RBC-Ukraine online publication.

He also stressed that the other parties to the agreement – Ukraine, Turkey and the UN – continue to strictly comply with their obligations under the grain initiative.

"Statements that Russia cannot take out its cargoes, look rather strange, given that it is the Russian fleet that controls the Black Sea. That is, what exactly can prevent Russians from exporting grain and fulfilling their obligations, except for the Russians themselves?" the adviser to the head of the President’s Office said.

According to the publication, the Russian Federation is trying to find a new reason for another information campaign calling for the lifting of sanctions, putting pressure, first of all, on the UN and importing countries of agricultural products, so that they take at least a slightly more "pro-Russian position."

"Each time, these absolutely predictable attempts/statements look more than doubtful: Europe and the United States have repeatedly emphasized that the sanctions do not apply to specific food items. This is firstly. And secondly: the recipient countries have no questions about Ukraine, which fulfills its agreements to the maximum, but there are questions to Russia, which sabotages deliveries under any pretext," Podoliak summed up in a commentary.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his speech at the Eastern Economic Forum, proposed limiting the export of grain from Ukraine, allegedly due to the fact that almost all grain from Ukraine is sent not to the poorest countries, but to the EU countries. He said he plans to discuss the issue with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In addition, earlier Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, threatened to disrupt the grain agreement, since, allegedly, within its framework, Russia was unable to take out a single vessel with food.