Will Russian fertilizer blackmail end?

The rioters damaged the Tolyatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline in the Kupyan district of the Kharkiv region. At the same time, the Russian Federation continues to export fertilizers through its ports. Will Moscow invent new obstacles for the Grain Corridor?

On the evening of May 5, as a result of Russian shelling, the Tolyatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline was depressurized in the Kupyan district of Kharkiv region. This was announced by the head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration Oleg Sinegubov.

Currently, the Headquarters for liquidation of the consequences of the accident has been deployed in the Kharkiv region.

It will be recalled that Russia previously threatened to withdraw from the Grain Agreement if Ukraine does not resume the transit of ammonia through its territory. In May 2023, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested that all parties to the Grain Initiative begin negotiations on the possibility of resuming the operation of the ammonia pipeline.

However, Russia immediately withdrew from the negotiation process, stating that Russia’s “other demands” must be fulfilled first. Thus, the terrorist country is sabotaging the work of the “grain corridor”, the term of which expires on July 18.

Moscow complains about low volumes of ammonia exports – allegedly due to sanctions. At the same time, as USM learned, Russia continues to export fertilizers through its ports. Over the past week, at least 6 ships with Russian fertilizer left the ports of St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga for Asian countries.

Previously, USM wrote that Russia hopes to open a terminal for the export of ammonia on the Taman Peninsula, bypassing Ukraine.