The UN has proposed that Kyiv, Moscow, and Ankara commence preparatory measures to enable the transit of Russian ammonia through Ukraine.
This initiative aims to salvage a deal that facilitates safe grain exports in the Black Sea region, according to an anonymous source familiar with the talks. The U.N. also calls for parallel discussions to expand last year’s Black Sea agreement, which included more Ukrainian ports and various cargoes.
While Russia agreed to a two-month extension of the deal, it has emphasized that the initiative’s continuation depends on resolving obstacles to Russian grain and fertilizer exports.
Ukraine and Turkey have accepted the new proposal, which seeks to enhance operations in the Black Sea grain export corridor. However, Russia has yet to respond to the proposition, as stated by the anonymous source.
When asked about the report during a daily press briefing, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that conversations regarding the matter were ongoing.
Dujarric mentioned that the Secretary General had presented ideas to improve the Joint Coordination Centre’s facilitation of work and address the ammonia export issue, which is part of the signed deal.
Last July, the U.N. and Turkey mediated the Black Sea Grain Initiative between Moscow and Kyiv in response to a global food crisis compounded by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a prominent grain exporter.
The U.N. has officially appealed to the leaders of Ukraine, Turkey, and Russia with a specific proposal aimed at significantly improving the grain corridor’s operations, the source revealed.
Ukraine and Turkey have expressed their willingness to work on the proposed plan by the Secretary General. However, as of May 30, Russia has not provided its consent, despite favorable positions outlined in the plan.
Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of unjustifiably impeding the Black Sea grain deal since mid-April. In contrast, Russia denies this allegation and calls for the resumption of ammonia transit via the Ukrainian port of Pivdennyi, near Odesa, which was suspended following last year’s invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a video address, accused Russia of obstructing activities at Pivdennyi, resulting in 1.5 million tonnes of agricultural products being unable to move.
Zelenskiy urged other countries to take note of the risks posed by Russia’s blockade, emphasizing that this situation highlights the serious dangers it can bring to maritime nations and their coastlines.
According to Ukrainian authorities, approximately 30 days would be required to prepare the pipeline for the resumption of ammonia transportation. To allow Russia to export ammonia via the pipeline, Kyiv is seeking guarantees from Moscow and the U.N. that the grain deal will operate normally.
A senior government source revealed earlier this month that Ukraine would consider granting transit rights if the Black Sea grain deal were expanded to include more Ukrainian ports and a wider range of commodities.
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