Lavrov-We See No New Guarantees On Grain Deal

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaking following talks with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Moscow. States that 'We don't see any new guarantees on [Black Sea] grain deal." Claims that the 'West hampers Russian grain and fertiliser exports', but adds that 'If promises are fulfiled tomorrow, then the grain deal could be resumed.'

• Amid speculation of a tripartite deal with Turkey and Qatar, Lavrov states that the 'Supply of 1mn tonnes of grain as discussed between Russia, Turkey and Qatar would be on top of Russia's grain supplies to Africa free of charge.'
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan travels to the Black Sea resort of Sochi for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on 4 September, where a Turkish efforts to revive the grain deal is expected to be the main topic of discussion.
• The disruption to grain flows from Ukrainian ports continues to pose a risk to food supplies in the MENA region, as well as threatening to sustain high food prices in Europe amid greater demand for a finite supply of wheat and corn.