The work of the Grain Initiative has resumed, but russia continues to block the entering fleet at the most deep-water port of Pivdennyi.

Thus, on May 19, 3 vessels were inspected for loading at the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk. russia unilaterally refused to inspect and register the vessels at the Pivdennyi port without giving any reason.

On May 20, the russian delegation to the JCC agreed to conduct 7 inspections of the inbound fleet to the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk, but conducted only 2. russia again removed all the vessels declared for the port of Pivdennyi from both the registration list and the inspection plan.

On May 21, only 4 inspections were scheduled, but again without vessels entering the Pivdennyi port.

The aggressor country has been pursuing such a destructive policy for almost a month, since April 29, 2023. Currently, more than 1.5 million tonnes of agricultural products for 10 countries, including Africa and Asia, are to be loaded onto 26 vessels at Pivdennyi port, which continue to await in Turkish territorial waters.

The Pivdennyi port has been shut down due to the lack of a fleet. In fact, russia does not allow it to participate in the Grain Initiative, which is another gross violation of the signed agreement. Thus, russia has found a new way to reduce the effectiveness of the Grain Deal and, accordingly, reduce exports to the world. After all, the Pivdennyi port is the largest port in terms of throughput, and its exclusion will significantly affect the reduction of export volumes.

russia is once again demonstrating that it has no regard for international law or principles. The aggressor country has no plans to fulfill the agreements to which it has signed up and continues to use food as a weapon in its blackmail policy.

We hope the partners in the agreement will find a solution. Otherwise, we are forced to state that the Grain Initiative is not working under the terms of the agreement signed by all parties.