Japan condemns Russia over grain deal suspension, lauds ‘arduous work’ by Türkiye, UN

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Lauding “arduous work” done by Türkiye and the UN in implementing the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Japan Tuesday condemned Russia’s pull out of the deal.

“Japan deplores the current situation and condemns Russia for terminating their participation,” Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said in a statement.

The Kremlin announced Monday that it suspended the deal, saying the Russian part of the agreement was not implemented.

The US, UK, France, NATO, the UN and EU have all criticized Moscow for exiting the grain deal, signed in July last year in Istanbul by Türkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine. The deal was aimed at resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports which was halted as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022.

China also backed the continuation of the “balanced and fully implemented” grain deal.

Hayashi said Russia's “aggression against Ukraine has aggravated global food security.”

“It is Russia that bears ultimate responsibility for the negative effects stemming from this decision,” he added.

“We appreciate the arduous work done by the United Nations and Türkiye, to extend and implement the Black Sea Grains Initiative. We will continue to closely monitor and support the efforts of both parties,” the Japanese foreign minister said.

He said Japan is paying “close attention to the ramifications of Russia's decision on the global food supply in order to prevent the ramifications of this decision on vulnerable people such as the spread of hunger in developing countries.”

“Japan will also continue to contribute to supporting grain export from Ukraine and strengthening global food security through cooperation with the international community,” said Hayashi.

Under the grain deal, a Joint Coordination Center was set up in Istanbul last year with officials from the three countries and the UN to oversee the shipments.

The deal has been renewed several times since then, and it was extended for another two months on May 18.