UN asks Putin to extend Black Sea grain deal in return for SWIFT access
(VOVWORLD) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday proposed Russian President Vladimir Putin extend a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of grain from Ukraine in return for connecting a subsidiary of Russia’s agricultural bank to the SWIFT international payment system.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that Guterres sent a letter to Putin on Tuesday proposing a way forward to further facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the continued Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain.
Under the initiative, Russia will extend the grain agreement in the Black Sea by several months to give the European Union time to restore the connection of Russia’s Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT international payment system. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov hasn’t made any comment on the information.
The Black Sea grain initiative has been renewed three times. Under the most recent extension on May 18, the agreement will expire on July 17.
While Russia’s food and fertilizer exports are not subject to Western sanctions, Russia says restrictions on payments, logistics, and insurance have been hampering its exports.