"This deal was signed precisely a year ago, on July 22, 2022. This so-called 'deal' was extended more than once. The last time was in May of this year for the period up to July 17 inclusive. We extended this deal again and again and, by extending, showed simply miracles of endurance and patience, tolerance,” Putin said at a government meeting, adding that the West did everything to undermine the initiative.
“The West completely undermined and wronged this essence. Instead of helping countries in need, the West used the grain deal for political blackmail, and besides, as I said, made it a tool for enriching transnational corporations, speculators in the global grain market,” he stressed.
"No one was going to fulfill any commitments and agreements on the grain deal, they just constantly demanded something from the Russian Federation," the president added.
"Even Russian intensions to donate fertilizers to poorer nations are hindered by the West," Putin highlighted.
“I want to emphasize that we are not against the deal itself, as such. Especially given its importance for the global food market … And of course, we will consider the possibility of returning to it, but only on one condition - if … all the previously agreed principles of Russia's participation in this deal are implemented without exceptions,” he said.
"And one of the basic conditions for Russia to return to the grain deal is restoring the humanitarian essence," Putin stressed.
"I believe that the UN staff sincerely sought to fulfill the promises made by the West. But they never managed to achieve anything. They did practically nothing for the normal work of the deal," the leader noted.