Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan next week in Sochi, Russia, to discuss the potential revival of the Ukraine grain export deal. This announcement comes after Russia unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in July, which had been brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, established under this deal, aimed to address a global food crisis exacerbated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both Ukraine and Russia are significant global suppliers of essential food commodities such as wheat, barley, and sunflower oil. The initiative allowed Ukraine to resume shipping food from three of its Black Sea ports under Turkish oversight, ensuring ship and cargo inspections. During its effect, nearly 33,000 tonnes of grain were shipped from Ukraine to regions in need across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated that Russia was not at fault for the deal’s failure, emphasizing that Moscow would consider returning to the agreement if all the promises made to Russia were fulfilled. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sent a set of concrete proposals to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov aimed at reviving the deal.
The potential revival of the grain export deal is seen as important for addressing the ongoing global food crisis. Meanwhile, US wheat prices rose after Lavrov expressed doubts about receiving the necessary guarantees to reinstate the agreement.
Despite Russia’s withdrawal from the deal, it has continued its efforts to supply grain to countries in need, such as Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea. Moscow also proposed supplying 1 million tonnes of Russian grain to Turkey at reduced prices for further processing and shipment to countries facing food shortages.
While Russian food and fertilizer exports are not subject to Western sanctions, logistical challenges, payment restrictions, and insurance issues have affected Moscow’s ability to make these shipments. Recently, two cargo vessels departed from a port near Odesa, Ukraine, transiting through the Black Sea using an altered route that follows the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria.
