MOSCOW. July 3 (Interfax) - There is need for terminating the Black Sea Grain Initiative as is, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said in the "Age of Confrontation" article published by the newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
"Everyone has realized the dependence on agricultural products and food from our country, which is the reason for the never ending grain deal campaign. Although it is already clear to everyone there is no need for it as is and it absolutely must be terminated," Medvedev said.
The grain deal will expire again on July 17.
The grain deal was concluded in Istanbul on July 22, 2022. The UN, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine signed two documents to open a grain corridor from three Ukrainian ports (Chernomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny) and to lift restrictions on Russian food and fertilizer exports.
The initiative was extended for 120 days in November 2022. After the initiative expired on March 18, it was extended for another 60 days.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on May 17 that the Black Sea Grain Initiative had been extended for another two months.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on May 25 that the sides would have to consider an alternative to the Black Sea Grain Initiative unless the Russian Agricultural Bank is reconnected to SWIFT and progress is made in resolving other "systemic" problems blocking Russian agricultural exports.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in June that he was working hard on extending the grain deal and expressed concern about Russia's possible withdrawal from it in July.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said later that Moscow was considering its possible withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. He noted that over 40% of Ukrainian grain went to wealthy EU countries instead of the poorest nations. As the main recipients of Ukrainian grain, they benefit from lower prices and Ukraine receives payment, he said.