PARIS — Ukraine’s Agrarian Policy Minister Mykola Solsky said today he cannot predict whether the deal brokered with the U.N. and Turkey to export grain via the Black Sea will be extended because Russian President Vladimir Putin is too “mentally” unstable.
Speaking at POLITICO’s Future of Food and Farming Summit in Paris, Solsky said “it’s hard to discuss” the chances of continuing the deal — which allows Ukraine to conduct maritime trade despite its war with Russia — which is expected to expire in November.
“You’re always able to discuss these chances with a mentally healthy person. In this situation, it’s not like that,” Solsky said via video link.
Despite agreeing to the deal in July, Putin has criticized it in recent weeks, claiming that the vast majority of the exported grain is going to rich countries in Europe, not the vulnerable countries that need it most. Such remarks have raised doubts that the deal will be renewed.
“It’s very difficult to plan anything,” Solsky said. He added that Ukraine is working with the U.N. and Turkey to extend the deal, which is vital for the Ukrainian economy and for food-insecure countries, particularly in Africa.
“I think the extension of the agreement is going to be a very worrying issue for us until the moment it’s signed,” Solsky said. “We will have an understanding of whether it’s going to happen or not closer to the end of [the deal].”
