Edward Marchesi In 2017, Turkey and the United Nations negotiated a crucial agreement for the safety of shipping in the Black Sea , allowing the passage of nearly 33 million metric tons of Ukrainian agricultural exports. The primary goal was to avert a global food crisis by ensuring that grain and other products reached international markets despite the ongoing conflict.
2023 marked a turning point: Russia decided to withdraw from its commitment, claiming that Western sanctions were hampering its food and fertilizer exports and accusing Ukraine of exploiting the maritime corridor for military activities. Since that summer, attacks on commercial vessels and port infrastructure have increased, causing grain prices to soar on world markets.
Alexander Alimov's statements on dialogue with Turkey
Alexander Alimov, Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry 's Department for International Organizations , reiterated on Monday that Moscow is evaluating proposals received from several states. "We are in dialogue with all countries, including Turkey," he said, emphasizing that the negotiations are not limited to a single interlocutor but involve a broader network of international actors.
Proposals from third countries
Alimov indicated that offers are coming from both European and non-European countries, but that, at the moment, there are no concrete signs of a resumption of the grain deal . The lack of consensus is mainly linked to Russia 's concerns about how naval operations could impact its fertilizer exports, as well as fears that use of the corridor could facilitate Ukrainian military activity.
Why the agreement remains inactive: obstacles and tensions
Beyond diplomatic reasons, the situation on the ground has exacerbated the difficulties. Attacks on merchant ships and Black Sea port infrastructure have intensified, creating a climate of insecurity that discourages shipping companies from participating in grain transport. This instability has prompted operators to demand more stringent guarantees before reopening the corridor.
The role of Türkiye and the United Nations
Since Turkey brokered the original agreement, Ankara has continued to offer its own mediation, proposing a new maritime security framework that would include stricter monitoring and de-confliction agreements. However, the divergent positions of Russia and Ukraine make it difficult to find mutually satisfactory common ground.
Implications for the global wheat market
Meanwhile, African nations have emerged as major buyers of Russian wheat, helping to redistribute trade flows following the corridor's paralysis. Nevertheless, the reduction in Ukrainian export volumes has fueled a surge in international wheat prices, putting pressure on the most vulnerable importing countries.
International proposals and ongoing dialogue with Turkey have not yet succeeded in overcoming the political and security obstacles holding up the 2022 agreement . The wheat issue in the Black Sea remains one of the most complex challenges in managing the global food crisis linked to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.