The Black Sea Grain Initiative, as it is officially known, was extended for another 120 days in November and is up for renewal in March.
Meanwhile, Russia is allegedly sabotaging a previously successful initiative that allowed Ukraine to export over 6 million tonnes of agricultural products each month, approaching 2021 levels. Ships entering and leaving Ukrainian ports must be inspected by Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish, and UN observers in the Bosphorus Strait as part of the agreement.
On February 15, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov accused Russia of deliberately slowing inspections. According to the joint statement, over 140 vessels are awaiting inspections, with some waiting for more than a month. According to Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi, Russia reduced the number of inspections by half.
As a result, Ukraine only transported 5.5 million metric tonnes of agricultural products in January, down from 6.9 million tonnes in October, according to Solskyi.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin indicated Russia's unwillingness to renew the initiative unless it is exempt from agricultural export sanctions. Although Western sanctions do not target Russian grain and fertiliser exports, Russia has previously attempted to ease sanctions on Rosselkhozbank, a state agricultural bank, including reconnecting it to SWIFT.
With the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in March in doubt, the Kyiv Independent spoke with Solskyi about agricultural product exports, the grain deal, farmer damages and losses as a result of Russia's all-out war, and Ukraine's current needs.
