Prior to the disruption of the grain deal mediated by Turkey, with Russia and Ukraine, by Ukraine’s use of the grain corridor to attack the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol in Russia, there was the preexisting issue of the other half of the grain arrangement, for Russia’s grain exports, including Russia’s decision to donate 500,000 metric tons of grain to needy nations. There’s been an arrogant disregard for that part of the agreement, with the simple demand that Russia renew the arrangement before it expires on Nov. 19.
Yesterday, the First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy, as reported by Izvestia, said that the UN understands Russia’s problem with the West’s failure to abide by the agreement. He underlined the issue: “The UN promises us the result will be very soon. We will assess the efficiency of performing the Russian portion of the deal and results of relevant UN efforts when making the decision” on any extension of the grain deal. “The UN has time to honor assumed obligations until Nov. 18—this date is set as ‘the logical deadline’ of the current deal.”