U.S. and Ukrainian officials have said they will wait to see if Russia sticks to its aspect of the grain plan.
Officials in the Biden and Ukraine administrations welcomed Friday’s agreement to allow grain exports from Ukraine, but expressed skepticism that Russia would live up to its commitments.
John Kirby, the White House’s national security spokesman, told reporters: “The United States welcomes this positive step. “We fully expect the implementation of this deal to begin quickly to prevent the world’s most vulnerable people from sliding further into food insecurity and malnutrition, as well as hunger.” maximize.”
But Mr. Kirby repeatedly issued warning notes, saying the deal’s success “will depend on Russia sticking to this agreement and actually fulfilling its commitments, and of course ending the blockade.” block the ports of Ukraine”.
“Russian words are never good enough on its face. It really depends on the willingness to perform,” he added. “We’ve been clear on this and we’ll be watching it very closely.”
Similarly, Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, tell France 24 that he hasn’t celebrated yet.
“Once the ships have moved and when they reach Turkish territorial waters, then we will be able to say that Africa will get the grain they want,” Mr. Podolyak said in comments. by the French translated news outlet. “So let’s give it some time and see how the system works. I say this because the Russian Federation today is not a partner whose word can be taken as a legal commitment. Russia can violate any agreement at any time.”
In his nightly address, President Volodymyr Zelensky cast more skepticism, saying there could be “some provocation on the part of Russia”, but Ukraine trusts the United Nations and Turkey – the key partner in the grain settlement – ensuring Russia’s compliance. He also used the deal to add to his portrayal of Ukraine’s ability to withstand war, noting that grain sales would bring in $10 billion, bringing in income for farmers, the agricultural industry, and the like. , the state budget and next year’s sowing season.
Victoria J. Nuland, US Secretary of State for Political Affairs, said on Friday that Russia has felt political pressure from abroad to free up Ukraine’s agricultural exports.
“This comes together because, in my opinion, Russia has finally felt the hot breath of the global atmosphere, and it is losing the Global South who believed that this is really the case. it’s NATO’s fault, etc,” Nuland said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.
Ms. Nuland said it was a growing understanding that, on the contrary, “it is Russia that is blocking the food” that prompted Russian President Vladimir V. Putin to act. “Now Russia has a real responsibility to implement this agreement,” she said. “But it’s very well structured in terms of monitoring and in terms of, you know, channels that the particle has to be able to escape.”
She added that Russia may have a direct financial interest in reaching an agreement.
“Russia is also out there complaining to the world that their fertilizer and grain can’t get out,” Nuland said. She noted that the US has not imposed sanctions on Russian food or fertilizers and that Washington has provided a “letter of comfort” to clarify that.
“So it could also have to do with the fact that it’s very difficult for them to get shippers and insurers and others to move their grain,” she said. “So they also need money, given what we’re doing for them.”
Maggie Astor contributed reporting.
