Sanction Loopholes: Navigating Russian Grain and Fertilizer Exports

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is actively communicating with Moscow to ease Russian grain and fertilizer exports. Although not aiming to lift Western sanctions on Russia, Guterres is exploring potential loopholes. Meanwhile, Russia aims to resume ammonia exports and reconnect its agricultural bank to SWIFT.

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, announced on Tuesday that the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is maintaining regular communication with Moscow to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports. Guterres is reportedly seeking loopholes in sanctions rather than advocating for their removal.

Lavrov highlighted a memorandum of understanding signed between Russia and the United Nations in 2022, which remains valid until July. Despite food and fertilizer exports being excluded from Western sanctions, Moscow argues logistical and financial restrictions still impede their shipments.

As part of its export resumption strategy, Russia is pushing for the revival of its ammonia shipments and the reactivation of its agricultural bank, Rosselkhozbank, on the SWIFT international payments platform.

(With inputs from agencies.)