Russia returns to Black Sea grain deal after four days: "Received guarantee of demilitarization"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Russia, which had declared its withdrawal from the grain agreement after claiming attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea Fleet, returned to the agreement after four days, according to reports by The Guardian and others on the 2nd (local time).

According to the reports, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated in a press release that day, "We have received guarantees from Ukraine regarding the demilitarization of maritime routes," adding, "We currently judge the guarantees to be sufficient and will resume the implementation of the agreement."

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkiye, who had persuaded Russia, said that day, "Sergey Shoigu, Russian Minister of Defense, told Hulusi Akar, Turkiye’s Minister of Defense, that the agreement will resume from noon today."

Accordingly, President Erdogan told the Turkiye Parliament that grain loading and departure from Ukrainian ports resumed as of noon that day.

Ukraine and Russia signed an agreement on July 22 under the mediation of the United Nations (UN) and Turkiye to guarantee the safety of the Black Sea route, which had been blocked since the war, allowing both countries to export grain and fertilizer. However, Russia declared its withdrawal from the agreement on the 29th of last month, claiming that Ukraine attacked the Black Sea Fleet and civilian ships in the Crimean Peninsula.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, criticized in a national address the previous night, saying, "This is a matter involving tens of millions of lives," and "Russia must clearly recognize that it will face a strong response from the world for any measures that obstruct food exports."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a phone call with President Erdogan that returning to the agreement could be considered after an investigation into the attack on the Crimean Peninsula Black Sea Fleet. He also emphasized, "There needs to be a 'real guarantee' that Ukraine strictly complies with the agreement and does not misuse the humanitarian corridor for military purposes."

Foreign media reported that with Russia’s return to the grain agreement greatly easing market concerns, prices of major grain futures such as wheat and corn have fallen sharply.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.