Turkey says lifting restrictions on Russian fertilizers export is necessary for “grain deal” extension

The Guardian reported the information.

"He (Çavuşoğlu - ed.) agreed with Russia on the need to lift restrictions on Russian grain and fertiliser exports…This needs to be done in order for the deal to be extended further," the article said.

The Russian side demands:

• reconnection of Russian Agricultural Bank to SWIFT;

• resumption of supply of agricultural machinery, spare parts and service;

• lifting restrictions on insurance and reinsurance plus lifting the ban on access to ports;

• resumption of the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline;

• unblocking foreign assets and accounts of Russian companies related to the production and transportation of food and fertilizers. 

At the meeting with Çavuşoğlu, Lavrov said that the "grain deal" should include the export of Russian grain, but only Ukrainian grain is exported. He reiterated that the grain is exported mainly to Europe, and that the poorest countries allegedly account for only 3% of all grain shipped by Ukraine.

"The Russian part of the package, formalized by a special memorandum between the UN and our country, is not being implemented at all," Lavrov complained.