Moscow Re-explains Black Sea Grain Corridor Terms
· Milliyet Ekonomi
Russia's Foreign Ministry, responding to the proposal for a moratorium on military activities in the Black Sea, announced that a new agreement is not possible without the lifting of restrictions on Russian agricultural products.
Black Sea Moratorium and Russia's Response
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova made a written statement regarding Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's proposal for a moratorium on military activities in the Black Sea. Stating that they are carefully evaluating the peace initiatives presented by Turkey as a regional actor, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said:
"The Russian side has not received a Turkish application through official channels that would 'concretize' the conditions of this initiative."
The Moscow administration announced to the public through diplomatic channels that it does not find it appropriate to return to the old agreement framework that halted military activities under the current conditions.
Agricultural Exports and Corridor Terms
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova commented on the Black Sea Initiative implemented in the past:
"The condition for the implementation of the agreement was that the other party would take similar counter-steps, but these were not realized."
Reminding that a pause in military steps was given in exchange for the commitment to ensure uninterrupted access of Russian agricultural products to world markets, Zakharova emphasized that sanctions continue. It was announced that the corridor was terminated due to the stance of Western countries and the failure to lift restrictions on Russian agricultural exports, and that a new agreement is not possible without market access being guaranteed.
Regional Security and Maritime Transport
Noting that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have carried out attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea, Zakharova stated that this situation destabilizes civilian maritime transport. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova continued her words:
"However, we do not see any preconditions for the situation to improve. Therefore, we do not see any justification for half-measures that will only provide a temporary respite to the Kiev regime."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously confirmed Turkey's emphasis on the safety of commercial vessels in the Black Sea.