The Kremlin has stated that it does not rule out any scenarios regarding the possible resumption of the now-defunct Black Sea grain deal, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The Black Sea grain deal, which was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, facilitated the export of Russian and Ukrainian agricultural products via the Black Sea for a year. However, Russia allowed the deal to expire in July 2023, stating that it would only renew the agreement if obstacles to its own agricultural goods reaching world markets were lifted.
On Thursday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, after meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said they had discussed navigational security in the Black Sea, including the grain deal.
When asked about a possible renewal of the deal on Friday, Peskov said: “The Kremlin does not rule out any agreements. The Kremlin has said, President (Vladimir) Putin has repeatedly said, that he is open to dialogue.”
Peskov added that any agreement on grain would have to be reached as part of a package of issues “within the general context of the current situation”.
The Kremlin’s comments suggest that it is leaving the door open for the potential resumption of the Black Sea grain deal, but any such agreement would likely be contingent on broader negotiations and the resolution of other issues between Russia and the international community.