U.S. urges countries to reach out if having issues with Russian food, fertilizer exports

Russian-flagged bulk provider Matros Koshka sails in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, in Istanbul, Turkey May well 27, 2022. Picture taken May perhaps 27, 2022. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik

NEW YORK, June 22 (Reuters) – Countries should really talk to the United States for assist if they have any troubles importing Russian food stuff and fertilizer, a senior U.S. formal stated on Wednesday, stressing that such products were not subject to U.S. sanctions about Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

“Nothing at all is halting Russia from exporting its grain or fertilizer besides to have insurance policies and actions,” U.S. State Section Bureau of Financial and Business Affairs Assistant Secretary, Ramin Toloui, explained to reporters.

But he additional that issues had been lifted about “so-named more than compliance with sanctions.” Washington has slapped Moscow with a wide assortment of sanctions considering that Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Facilitating Russian food items and grain exports is a critical component of makes an attempt by U.N. and Turkish officers to broker a package deal offer with Moscow that would also allow for for shipments of Ukraine grain from the Black Sea port of Odesa.

A conference concerning Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and U.N. officials would possible be held in Istanbul in coming weeks, resources in the Turkish presidency mentioned on Tuesday. study extra

“We are thoroughly supportive of this and want to see that participate in out,” Toloui said of the U.N. initiatives. “We will keep on close coordination with the U.N. delegation and the authorities of Ukraine on means to mitigate the impacts to world wide meals protection of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s war in Ukraine.”

Russia’s war has stoked a world meals crisis. Russia and Ukraine account for nearly a 3rd of international wheat provides, even though Russia is also a essential fertilizer exporter and Ukraine is an exporter of corn and sunflower oil.

Moscow denies responsibility for the food disaster, blaming Western sanctions and Ukraine for mining its Black Sea ports.

“The United States does not want there to be impediments to the ability of international locations, firms to acquire Russian food stuff, Russian fertilizer, and for people items to obtain worldwide marketplaces,” Toloui explained.

He encouraged countries to contact the U.S. Treasury Office or community U.S. embassies if they were being acquiring problems.

U.S. Secretary of Point out Antony Blinken will go to a meals protection ministerial meeting in Germany on Friday forward of a a few-working day Team of 7 (G7) nations summit, also in Germany, starting off Sunday.

Reporting by Michelle Nichols and Kanishka Singh
Modifying by Marguerita Choy

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