Ukraine is ready to launch the transit of Russian ammonia under the guarantee of not blocking the grain corridor

UkrAgroConsult

Ukraine demands guarantees from Russia and the UN that the grain deal will work properly if Kyiv allows the transit of Russian ammonia. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine Yuriy Vaskov, Reuters reports.

The resumption of transit of Russian ammonia to Odesa’s Pivdennyi port, from where this gas would be exported, is one of the requirements of the aggressor country to continue the grain initiative.

“We do not understand now whether the ammonia pipeline itself solves anything or not. If it doesn’t solve anything by itself, then there is no dialog. If this (ammonia) is a key issue, then they, the UN, should clearly say that if the ammonia pipeline resumes operation, Ukraine will have such opportunities (to export grain normally), and then our top political leadership will decide whether it is in our interests or not,” Vaskov said.

The grain deal has not yet resumed full operation after it was extended, and no vessels have been allowed to call at Pivdennyi port since April 29, the UN reported last week.

As a reminder, on May 17, 2023, it became known that the grain initiative, which aims to guarantee the safe passage of ships from Ukrainian Black Sea ports for food exports, was extended for another 2 months – until July 18.

Before that, Moscow threatened to withdraw from the agreement if a number of conditions were not met. These included unblocking the foreign assets and accounts of Russian companies related to food and fertilizers, as well as resuming the supply of agricultural machinery, spare parts, and service. In addition, Russia wanted the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline to resume operations.

Tags: fertilizers, sanctions, Black Sea grain corridor, Russia