ANKARA: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday threatened to abandon a landmark grain deal with Ukraine if obstacles to Moscow’s exports remained.

Negotiated in July by Turkiye and the United Nations, the agreement allows Ukraine — one of the world’s top grain producers — to export grain through a safe corridor in the Black Sea.

“If there is no further progress in removing barriers to the export of Russian fertilisers and grain, we will think about whether this deal is necessary,” Lavrov told a news conference in the Turkish capital Ankara, alongside his counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The agreement has so far allowed the export of more than 27 million tonnes of grain and agricultural products. It was renewed twice. When it was extended in March, Russia said it would be valid for 60 days instead of the 120 days in the original agreement.

Moscow has been complaining that its side of the agreement, promising the right to export fertiliser, is not being respected.

Turkiye is pushing for a 120-day extension although it acknowledges that the agreement has not been fully implemented.

“We value the continuation of the agreement which is also important in terms of reducing the global food crisis,” Cavusoglu said.

There are no sanctions on Russian exports of food and fertilisers to global markets but the problems are related to the secondary sanctions imposed on shipping and insurance companies as well as banks.

“USA and England took some steps in terms of payment and insurance but we have to be fair, the problems continue”, Cavusoglu said, adding that barriers remained.

Lavrov also met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later on Friday.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2023