Lavrov said that Russia expects the lifting of sanctions on grain exports

Moscow hopes that the UN will be able to achieve the lifting of sanctions that prevented the export of grain from Russia, as part of a "product deal". This was stated by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri, broadcast was on YouTube.

Lavrov explained that these are restrictions that have become an obstacle to grain operations from Russia, including insurance, the admission of Russian ships to foreign ports and the entry of foreign ships into Russian ports.

“Now, after the signing of the agreements in Istanbul, at the initiative of the UN Secretary General, he volunteered to seek the removal of these illegitimate restrictions. Let's hope he succeeds," he said.

After the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, grain was no longer exported from the ports of the country. Kyiv blamed Moscow for this, which, in turn, argued that the export of food was impossible due to the mining of ports by Ukrainian troops. The world was concerned about this situation and feared the start of a food crisis due to the lack of Ukrainian grain on the market, as well as Russian grain due to sanctions.

Turkey and the UN acted as mediators in organizing negotiations on the export of Ukrainian grain. On July 22, Russia and Ukraine separately signed an agreement with them. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar clarified that the deal is not limited in time.

According to the agreement, a safe corridor will be organized for the export of grain from the ports of Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny. The ships will pass through it, accompanied by Ukrainian pilots, while the territorial waters will remain mined.

Vessels will be inspected at the exit and entrance to the Black Sea, this will be done by the established joint quadripartite coordination center. According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, this is done so that weapons and ammunition are not carried on ships and to prevent provocations.

The mechanism for the export of grain will begin to work in about two weeks, the UN reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the country has grain reserves worth $10 billion and, thanks to the agreement, will be able to export about 20 million tons of last year's grain crop.

On the same day, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum on promoting the promotion of Russian food products and fertilizers to world markets for a period of three years. Its main task is to ensure transparent and unhindered supplies of Russian food and fertilizers to world markets and to achieve the exclusion of these products from sanctions.