Putin’s Conditions for Returning to the Agreement

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow is ready to return to an agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain if its requirements are “fully” met, otherwise the extension of this agreement “will lose its meaning.”

“We are studying the possibility of returning (to the agreement), but on the condition that all the principles of Russia’s participation in this agreement are taken into account and implemented in full and without exception,” Putin said during a government meeting, the facts of which were reported by Russian television.

Accusations of Political Blackmail

Putin has accused Western countries of using the Ukrainian grain export deal, which Moscow withdrew from this week, as a tool of “political blackmail.”

“Instead of helping countries in dire need, the West used the grain deal for political blackmail, turning it into a tool for enriching transnational corporations and speculators on the world market,” Putin said.

Putin blamed Western countries for the “complete distortion” of the grain export agreement.

Russia Considers All Ships Calling at Ukrainian Ports as Potential Carriers of Military Cargo

Earlier on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Moscow would consider all ships calling at Ukrainian ports as possible carriers of military cargo, and countries whose flags were raised on ships bound for Ukrainian ports would be considered parties to the conflict on an equal basis with Ukraine.

The move follows Russia’s decision this week to pull out of a UN-brokered Black Sea grain export deal that guaranteed Ukraine’s export security last year.

Russia Declares Black Sea Waters Unsafe for Navigation

“In connection with the termination of the Black Sea Initiative and the completion of the humanitarian maritime corridor, from 00:00 Moscow time on July 20, 2023 (21:00 Moscow time Wednesday), all ships calling at Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea will be considered potential carriers of military cargo,” the ministry’s message posted on the Telegram application says.

She added that Russia is also declaring the southeastern and northwestern parts of international waters in the Black Sea temporarily unsafe for navigation, without specifying which parts of the sea will be affected.

The Black Sea Grain Agreement brokered by Turkey and the UN and aimed at facilitating Russian and Ukrainian agricultural exports ended on July 17 after Russia refused to renew its participation in it.

Moscow complains about the failure to comply with a parallel agreement to relax the rules for the export of food and fertilizers from Russia. Kyiv demands security guarantees to resume shipping without Russian participation.