Kyiv does not rule out the termination of the "grain deal" on May 18

Ukraine does not rule out the possibility that the agreement allowing safe exports of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea will expire on May 18, when it is due to expire, and no additional negotiations are planned this week.

This was reported by Reuters.

Olga Trofimtseva, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a briefing that Ukraine is receiving conflicting signals about the future of the agreement, the extension of which was discussed at talks in Turkey last week.

"The situation in general (after the talks) has not changed much, and we are receiving rather contradictory information about the 'grain deal' and the possibility of its extension," she said.

Moscow has threatened to withdraw from the agreement on May 18 if a list of requirements to remove obstacles to the export of Russian grain and fertilizers is not met.

"Such a termination, (Russia's) withdrawal from the grain initiative is possible, but for everyone, and first of all for the Russian side, it will mean an escalation of the situation, and they will complicate their further negotiating position," Trofimtseva said.

According to her, Ukraine exported 2.5 million tons of agricultural goods in April, despite the slowdown in the use of the grain corridor.

Author - Olena Madiak, 15/05/2023