What are the prospects for resuming the grain deal?

Progress in negotiations on the resumption of the Black Sea grain initiative is unlikely in the near future, but Turkey and the UN continue to work in this direction, a diplomatic source in Ankara said. This initiative involves the export of Ukrainian grain and food, as well as fertilizers via the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that the Black Sea Initiative will work as soon as sanctions against Russian companies are lifted.

The issue of the possibility of progress in the negotiations in the coming days remains difficult due to the principled positions of the parties. Rapid progress is unlikely, but negotiations are ongoing.

Recall that the Black Sea Initiative was signed by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations in July 2022, but its operation ceased in July 2023. Russia notified the partner countries of its intention not to extend the terms of the deal, since its terms were not fulfilled, and the main goal – grain supplies to countries in need – was not realized. Russian President Putin said that the West exported most of the Ukrainian grain to its states.

This initiative is part of a package agreement between Russia and the United Nations. However, the second part of this agreement (the Russia-UN memorandum, designed for 3 years), providing for the unblocking of Russian exports of food and fertilizers, also remains unfulfilled.