Should we see in this a first sign of relaxation or a tactical move by Russia affected by international sanctions, by advancing an additional pawn? After assuring that the gas giant Gazprom would fully fulfill its obligations to its suppliers, Vladimir Putin mentions “advances” on Ukrainian cereals. This progress in the negotiations for the export of cereals from Ukraine via the Black Sea would have been obtained thanks to the action of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his “mediation” in this file.
However, even if the Russian Ministry of Defense had indicated last Friday that a “final document” would soon be ready shortly to allow the export of cereals from Ukraine, all is not settled.
“We will facilitate the export of Ukrainian cereals, but on the basis that all restrictions related to air deliveries for the export of Russian cereals are lifted”, affirmed the Russian president. And to add: “We had agreed from the beginning on this point with the international organizations. But no one took responsibility for finalizing all of this, including our American partners. »
70 to 75 million tonnes expected in the fall
However, Vladimir Putin recognizes some progress. “Restrictions on Russian fertilizer deliveries to the world market have been lifted by the Americans, in practice,” he said, adding: “If they sincerely want to improve the situation on world food markets, I hope the same will apply to Russian grain exports”.
For its part, the European Commission has proposed to member states to release “certain funds” from Russian banks frozen by EU sanctions to help the resumption of trade in agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilizers. Currently, the quantity of Ukrainian cereals intended for export and blocked in Ukraine is said to be around 20 to 25 million tonnes but could reach 70 to 75 million tonnes in the autumn.
Recently, Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy, had estimated that the resumption of cereal exports from Ukraine was a “matter of life or death” for millions of people, particularly on the African continent.