“It’s one of the few topics on which agreement is always reached,” explains Hammelburg. For the Russians, it is problematic that the deal concerns not only Ukrainian grain, but also Russian grain and Russian fertilizer. This fertilizer requires components that can only be obtained by violating the imposed penalties. “If that happens, the Americans and others who have announced sanctions will immediately interfere.”
Diplomatic success
Hammelburg thinks the Russians are right in this area. ‘They say it should be possible if they want to continue down this path. It can become the only good thing in this bad story.’ The foreign commentator therefore thinks that he will eventually succeed in extending the wheat deal. The deal is seen as one of the few diplomatic successes since the outbreak of war.
Russia and Ukraine signed the deal in July last year with help from Turkey and the United Nations. In November, after difficult negotiations, the agreement was extended until 18 March. After that date, the deal remains valid if none of the parties involved objects.