🇷🇺🇺🇸 Answer to a Media Question by Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the U.S. A.A.Ledenev

❓: How could you comment on the statements by the U.S. Administration representatives regarding the implementation of the Istanbul food agreements, made prior to the imminent expiration of the "Black Sea Initiative" on the transportation of grain and foodstuffs from Ukraine?

💬 Andrei Ledenev: Against the backdrop of de-facto non-functioning of the Russia-UN Memorandum on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to the world markets, which is directly linked to the "Black Sea Initiative", 🇺🇸 authorities are going out of their way to avoid responsibility for the current situation. It is the sanctions of the U.S. and other western countries that impede the implementation of the package of agreements. They are also detrimental to the interests of the most vulnerable states in the agrosector.

👉 With unsuccessful attempts to “denigrate” the Russian Federation the State Department does not shy away from the blatant manipulation of facts and disinformation. It claims that buyers of grain and fertilizers from Russia do not have any problems when purchasing agricultural products from our country. Despite the fact that we clearly indicate which particular points of the Russian-UN document are not being followed through.

We are carefully taking note of everything that is being done to correct the imbalances in the implementation of the Istanbul agreements. Our decision to extend the “Black Sea Initiative” will depend on exactly that.

#StopSanctions

🇷🇺🇺🇸 Ambassador Anatoly Antonov’s answer to a media question

❓: Dear Ambassador Antonov, how could you comment on a new wave of US anti-Russian sanctions?

💬 Anatoly Antonov: The latest sanctions "package" is, in fact, a repetition of what has already been seen many times. There is nothing really new in lengthy press releases. Except, perhaps, direct contradictions. For example, certain types of medical and agricultural equipment are included in the list of goods blocked for deliveries to Russia. This devalues the numerous statements by the White House that humanitarian products are not subject to restrictions.

Washington's plan is simple, i.e. to try to scare off partners from the Russian market, our companies, mutually beneficial cooperation. Confuse the business community, experts and the public. Convince them that we are under some kind of "restrictions’ dome". Of course, this is far away from the truth. Russia, not in words, but in deeds, has proved its ability to cope with attempts to stop its progress, to force it to give up its basic principles.

At the same time, one gets the impression that the United States is trying to put pressure not only on the Russian Federation, but also on developing nations. To strike at Russia's actively expanding ties with the Global South. Doesn't the administration understand that by such steps it ruins its own long-term aims? Clearly, emerging economies will see the damage that United States policies are doing to their vital interests and eventually turn their backs on Washington.

☝️By the way, allow me to draw your attention to the list of Americans published today by the Russian Foreign Ministry who are now banned from entering Russia as a retaliatory measure for their unconstructive and one-sided approach towards our country. It has many famous names. I recommend taking a look.

#StopSanctions