Russia UN Envoy-No Decision Yet On Grain Deal Extension

Wires carrying comments from Gennady Gatilov, Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations, regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative. States that 'no real progress has been achieved in resolving issues raised by Russia' over the deal. Gatilov: 'We categorically reject accusations that Russia is artificially restraining Ukrainian food exports.'

• Gatilov: 'Our position on the future extension of the Black Sea deal remains unchanged, we need progress on the issues raised by Russia.'
• Says that a decision has not yet been taken on the extension of the deal beyond 18 May.
• In a presser in New York on 25 April, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also talked up a lack of progress on Russia's demands regarding the deal. These include the reinstatement of Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) into the SWIFT banking system.
• Reuters reportsother demands including the "supply of agricultural machinery to Russia be allowed, restrictions on insurance be lifted and for Russian ships and cargo to be allowed port access.It also wants a pipeline that delivers Russian ammonia to a Ukrainian Black Sea port to be restarted, and financial activities of Russian fertilizer companies to be unblocked."