On Wednesday, Russia delivered an ultimatum to the United Nations, stating that it had three months to implement the terms of a memorandum that would facilitate Russian agricultural exports. This move by Russia comes in response to its decision to halt participation in a year-old UN-brokered deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea. The memorandum, brokered by the UN and Turkey in July of the previous year, was intended to address a global food crisis and navigate the challenges posed by Russia’s military involvement in Ukraine.
The crux of Russia’s complaint lies in the promises made to facilitate its own shipments of food and fertilizers, which it claims have not been fulfilled. Consequently, the termination of the Black Sea deal also meant the related pact to assist Russia’s grain and fertilizer exports was annulled, as confirmed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that the onus is now on the United Nations to honor the Russian deal if they want Moscow to reconsider wider talks about resuming Ukrainian grain exports. According to Zakharova, the Russia-United Nations Memorandum states that the agreement would be valid for three years and allows either party to terminate it by giving three months’ notice. Russia has fulfilled this condition by giving the required notice.
With Kyiv and Moscow ranking among the world’s top grain exporters, the suspension of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea has significant implications for global food supplies. The situation further underscores the geopolitical complexities arising from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
The clock is now ticking for the United Nations to work towards tangible progress in implementing the terms outlined in the memorandum. Zakharova’s statement urges the UN to focus on achieving concrete results within the specified timeframe rather than resorting to public statements.
As the global community faces ongoing challenges regarding food security and geopolitical tensions, the successful implementation of the memorandum becomes crucial. It is in the best interest of all parties involved to find a resolution that ensures the smooth flow of grain exports from both Ukraine and Russia, helping to stabilize food supplies and promote stability in the region.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the United Nations to see how they respond to Russia’s call for concrete results. The coming months will prove critical in determining the future of grain exports in the Black Sea region and the potential for wider discussions between Russia and the international community.
Source: https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/we-can-restart-talks-if-un-meets-russian-needs-within-three-months-moscow/
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