Discussing grain initiatives without Russia is pointless, Global South nations agree — MFA

ROME, October 23. /TASS/. International partners within UN forums acknowledge that Black Sea grain initiatives are futile without Russia’s participation and the resolution of the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine, Kirill Logvinov, Director of the Department of International Organizations at the Russian Foreign Ministry, has told the media.

"Our partners from the Global South recognize that discussing any Black Sea Grain Initiative 2.0 without Russia’s participation and without addressing the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine is a dead end," he said after attending a meeting of the Committee on World Food Security at the Rome headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Logvinov pointed out that the current situation in the Black Sea is a consequence of actions taken by Kiev, as well as the large-scale military and financial support that the Kiev regime receives from the West. "What is happening must be viewed in a broader historical context, rather than plucking individual events out of the overall picture to use them for yet another political campaign involving sweeping accusations against Russia," he noted.

The Russian Foreign Ministry hopes that the FAO is capable of providing an objective assessment; the organization "should not turn into a platform for issuing 'political verdicts' or become involved in any political games."

"Its task is to provide an objective assessment of the state of food systems and to foster international cooperation in the development of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, Russia has an interest in seeing the FAO remain guided by the goals and objectives enshrined in its founding documents, and in ensuring it acts impartially and objectively. Only through such an approach can the Organization remain effective," Logvinov concluded.

The Russian side holds Ukraine and the UN responsible for the collapse of the "grain deal" - which remained in effect until July 2023 - stating that they failed to fulfill their respective obligations. Meanwhile, Russia continues to meet its own commitments, accounting for 26% of global wheat exports alone and supplying agricultural products to 160 countries.

FAO assessment

As FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero noted during an event on the impact of the situation in the Black Sea on global food security - held as part of the World Food Forum - the challenges in the Black Sea region represent only one, and not necessarily the most significant, factor threatening food security. He pointed out that the observed price increases and instability are driven by geopolitical conflicts, funding cuts, and extreme weather events.

"In countries dependent on wheat from the Black Sea, there has been no deterioration in the food situation beyond average levels; however, a number of food-importing nations remain potentially vulnerable and require close monitoring," he said.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin explained that the Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports and export routes were a response to Ukraine’s attempts - beginning in the summer of this year - to target Russian oil refineries and vessels in the Black and Azov Seas. He emphasized that the Ukrainian armed forces of Ukraine had attempted to organize a naval blockade of the Black Sea coast, damaging over 100 Russian and foreign vessels.