Russia has threatened to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allows grain to be safely exported from Ukrainian ports to the global market.
The warning comes as members of the G-7 group of wealthy nations reportedly seek to completely ban exports to Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
According to Japanese government sources, the G-7 countries are considering imposing a near-total ban on all exports to Russia.
“The G-7 countries have already stopped exporting a wide range of items to Russia, including products that can be used for military purposes and luxury goods. But the latest plan could expand the trade embargo to used cars, tires, cosmetic items and clothing,” Kyodo reported.
The G-7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York this week to negotiate the grain deal.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, stated on the social media platform Telegram that if the G-7 imposes such a ban, Moscow will cancel the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
“This idea from the idiots at the G-7 about a total ban of exports to our country by default is beautiful in that it implies a reciprocal ban on imports from our country, including categories of goods that are the most sensitive for the G-7. In such a case, the grain deal — and many other things that they need — will end for them,” Medvedev wrote on Telegram.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey in July, allows for the essential transfer of grain from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports onto global markets via joint vessel inspection at an Istanbul facility.
Ukraine is the world’s fifth largest grain producer, and the agreement has resulted in the export of almost 28 million tons since July.
Moscow had already hinted that it might not renew the grain contract beyond its next expiration date of May 18, well before rumours of a G-7 export ban surfaced. The agreement is expected to be renewed every 120 days. Russia agreed to prolong the agreement for only 60 days at the last renewal in March.
The U.N. has also urged Russia to extend the deal.
“Our message is clear: We urge all involved to meet their responsibilities to ensure that vessels continue to move smoothly and safely in the interest of global food security. … The positive humanitarian impact all over the world of the initiative is evident and not limited to its exports to specific low-income countries. It’s in everyone’s interest to keep it going and to work within the agreed-to policy procedures,” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters on April 12.