Russia says Black Sea grain deal will be extended and it may be the last time

The “grain deal,” which according to Russia is set to expire on May 18, may be extended for another 60 days.

Russian media reported this on Friday, May 12, citing a source familiar with the discussions.

“I think the deal will be extended for 60 days, but Russia may agree to it for the last time. Traditionally, the decision to extend the agreement may be announced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart,” the source said.

He noted that the conversation between the presidents of Russia and Turkey could take place “today or tomorrow.” At the same time, he called the possibility of extending the agreement “a gesture by Russia,” still hoping that its demands, enshrined in the Istanbul memorandum of July 22 last year, will be taken into account.

On May 11, multilateral talks between Ukraine, Turkey, the UN and Russia on the extension of the grain deal ended in Istanbul. The parties agreed to continue to work in a quadripartite format to extend the grain deal in the near future.

Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure, said that the negotiations would continue online.

Tags: Black Sea grains deal, Russia