Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared on September 8 that a return to the Black Sea grain initiative is “completely unacceptable and unrealistic.”
Lavrov stated that attempts to revive the initiative are being made, but Russia considers this scenario impossible. He accused Ukraine of “constantly abusing” the agreements by periodically transporting weapons on civilian ships.
The minister also recalled that key terms of the deal concerning Russia had not been fulfilled—specifically, promises to ensure unhindered access for Russian agricultural products to global markets. According to Lavrov, European nations blocked implementation of this provision, prompting Moscow to withdraw from the project.
Additionally, Lavrov noted that officials have proposed a Russian-Ukrainian moratorium on attacks against civilian vessels carrying agricultural goods in the Black Sea region due to concerns about the upcoming winter.
Turkey has intensified negotiations with Russia and Ukraine to reopen the grain corridor in the Black Sea, seeking to resume operations under the July 2022 Istanbul agreement model amid current supply challenges.
