Sanctions or no sanctions? 🇷🇺

The US and the UN are working together to address Russian complaints that sanctions are hindering its food and fertilizer shipments – even though there’s been no disruption to Moscow's exports of the commodities.

• The UN, Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia agreed on July 22 on a package deal to restart Ukraine's Black Sea grain and fertilizer exports and facilitate Russian shipments.
• But even though it’s been stressed that Russian foods and fertilizers aren’t subject to sanctions imposed over the war and the country can access the market via other means, Moscow has asserted there has been a chilling effect on its exports.

Senior UN and Russian officials met in Geneva on Wednesday for what was described as a positive and constructive discussion of the issues.

• The UN says they’ll do whatever is possible to show they’re willing to buy Russian foods and fertilizers.
• Russia says logistical sanctions and restrictions on access to ports restrict the country’s access to world markets, and that easing them was part of the export deal.