The grain corridor today is reported to be a situation in a suspended state complicated by increased uncertainty – Olga Trofimtseva

There are currently no specific, clear steps for the grain corridor deal extension. However, despite various signals, there is hope for its further another 60 days extension turn. 

Olga Trofimtseva, Ambassador at Large with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Coordinator of the Exporters and Investors Council, made the relevant report at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform. 

“Today, the grain corridor is a situation in a suspended state complicated by increased uncertainty. The reason for that is there are different signals to listen to now. Türkiye says a deal is supposed to be extended until May 18. But this week, as far as I know, no additional negotiations are planned. Last week, we did not get any concrete result on the extension of the grain deal,” she said.

However, Olga Trofimtseva noted that according to the information available today, russia to broker the grain corridor for another 60 days.

“First, as we can see now, Türkiye elections are set for a likely runoff. This is also, I think, one of the political factors that influence the russian leadership’s decision-making now. And they will try to use these 60 days of extension for such an intensified, and I would say dialog. To try to agree on at least some kind of easing of tensions or some steps towards russia in the demands they are making in these negotiations on the second part of the agreements signed between russia and the UN,” she said.

Olha Trofimtseva emphasized that we cannot rule out the possibility of russia withdrawing from the grain deal or suspending it on May 18. As russia is quite unpredictable, it constantly acts illogically, and one can always expect some provocations or negative moments.

“Nevertheless, everyone emphasizes the importance of extending the grain deal, and everyone emphasizes that it should work not for 60 days but for 120 days, as the original agreement stipulated. And all these recent weeks have shown how russia is failing to fulfill its obligations under this grain initiative. And such a termination or unilateral withdrawal from this ‘grain initiative’ is again possible. Still, it will mean an escalation of the situation for everyone, especially for the russian side, and in this case, they will complicate their negotiating position in the future.”

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