Russia leaves grain deal Vremya gives its rationale

Jul 17, 2023

Yury Lipatov and the anchor present withdrawal as a response to unmet Russian export, banking, insurance and logistics demands and blame Western policy for food-market problems. They give their account of Ukrainian grain destinations. Zakharova describes restricted fertilizer donations, withdrawal of navigation guarantees, the corridor and coordination centre, and cessation from July 18 without Russia; she alleges misuse of shipping for attacks. The package quotes von der Leyen and Borrell's opposing positions and rebuts them. Dudchak discusses possible help to poorer countries and an upcoming Africa forum. Earlier Putin remarks criticize food and energy policy and the deal's implementation. Zelenskyy's continued-shipping proposal is reported with anticipated insurance risks. Suzdaltsev discusses port protection and Zlochevsky doubts renewed benefits. Revival remains conditional, and statistics, allegations and predictions are attributed.

Russia announces it will not continue the Black Sea grain agreement, citing unmet conditions on its food and fertiliser exports and denying a link to the Kerch Bridge attack. The agreement expires at midnight July 17. TSN reports UN, EU, US, Ukrainian and British objections and food-security concerns, with Guterres pledging continued efforts and Borrell supporting EU Solidarity Lanes. Ukraine proposes continuing the maritime route with Turkey and the UN, but no alternative agreement is established in this report. The bulletin describes trade effects and a reported wheat-price rise. In his complete same-day New York statement (show 514), António Guterres says Russia's decision also withdraws navigation security guarantees in the northwestern Black Sea and its commitment to facilitate food, sunflower-oil and fertilizer exports from Ukrainian-controlled Black Sea ports. He describes the initiative's humanitarian role and warns of food-price and hunger consequences. His account and forecasts remain attributed, and do not establish that every Ukrainian export route stopped. Borrell's full Brussels doorstep (show 518) condemns the withdrawal, pledges continued EU Solidarity Lanes and rejects the sanctions explanation as an excuse. Kuleba's same-day CBS exchange (show 520) says inland routes cannot fully compensate for the ports, alleges hunger blackmail and commercial motives, and forecasts higher prices and harm in vulnerable parts of Asia and Africa. His cited 20-percent price fall and forecasts remain his account, not an independently verified result or reopening commitment. In her July 17 statement, Maria Zakharova says Russia has sent documents categorically opposing further extension. She says the arrangement failed and became commercial, portrays rich Western countries and companies as its beneficiaries and cites just three percent for the poorest countries. She conditions Russian readiness to consider restoring it on concrete results and actual exemption of Russian food and fertilizers from sanctions, rejecting promises and guarantees. These are Russia's attributed rationale and conditional position, not evidence that export obstacles were resolved or the deal restored.