Following a two-day meeting in Miyazaki, Japan, G7 agriculture ministers on Sunday called for the “extension, full implementation and expansion” of the Initiative for cereals from the Black Sea, while the G7 considered an almost total ban on exports to Russia.
The plans were previously reported by Japanese news agency Kyodo, citing sources in the Japanese government.
Recall that Russia has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the grain agreement, which expires on May 18, because the list of its demands to facilitate its own grain and fertilizer exports has not been met. .
The agreement, allowing Ukraine to export more than 27 million tonnes of grain from several Black Sea ports, was brokered by the UN and Turkey last July in Istanbul.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said that if there is a ban on exports to Russia, Moscow is ready to respond by ending the grain deal.
The G7 is discussing the possibility of modifying the sanctions regime so that all exports to Russia are automatically banned, except for a list of certain goods. Under the current system, it is allowed to sell goods to Russia if they are not included in the “black list”.
In a statement, G7 agriculture ministers “acknowledged the importance” of the grains deal, saying: “We strongly support the extension, full implementation and expansion of the (Black Sea Grain Initiative) BGI”.
“We condemn Russia’s attempts to use food as a means of destabilization and a tool of geopolitical coercion, and reaffirm our commitment to act in solidarity and support those most affected by Russia’s use of food weapons. “, reads the press release.
The members of the G7 have declared their readiness to support the restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine, in particular by providing their expertise in the field of demining agricultural land and restoring agricultural infrastructure, the document underlines.
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