Kremlin: Grain Deal Can Be Revived If "Agreements Are Honoured"

Comments from the Kremlin hitting wires stating that: "It's impossible to return to lapsed black sea grain deal for now... [but Russian President Vladimir] Putin has made clear grain deal can be revived though if agreements related to Russia are honoured."

• Russian demands are understood to include improved market access for ammonia and potassium-based fertilizer exports which have fallen sharply since the war began.
• Kremlin: "It will be important for Russia to discuss grain supplies with African countries at [July 28-27] Russia-Africa summit [in St Petersburg]."
• The prospect of a return to the deal appears remote. If Putin can outline a credible alternative supply pipeline of Russia grain to African countries exposed to high grain prices, at the summit, it may limit political blowback from the strategically important bloc of African states which maintain a neutral position on the war.
• Recent sustained Russian attacks on grain infrastructure at the Black Sea ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk and alternativeexport hubs on the Danube have reestablished the Russian blockade on Ukrainian grain exports and further damaged the likelihood of a deal.