Russia Calls on UN to Help in Face of Western Sanctions

"Interfax" news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying the UN has to fulfill its role in the agreement, with regard to restrictions directly imposed on Russian exports of grain and fertilizer.

The United Nations has not yet confirmed Russia's reading of a parallel agreement on Russian food and fertilizer, saying only last Friday that "the sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation do not apply to these products."

It is noteworthy that since an agreement was reached on Ukrainian grain, there is international condemnation of a Russian missile attack against the port of Odesa on Saturday.

However, Peskov mentioned that should not affect the agreement, as the attack only destroyed the military infrastructure.

"Therefore, such matters should have absolutely no effect on the start of the grain loading process," Peskov added.

Since the beginning of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, the West, including the United Kingdom, has been imposing sanctions against Russia, affecting different economic sectors, companies, and inpiduals.

In the same vein, the European Union (EU) mentioned it will ban all imports of oil brought in by sea from Russia by the end of 2022.

The EU is less keen to impose sanctions on Russian gas because it relies on it for about 40% of its gas needs.

In March, it said it would reduce gas imports by two-thirds within a year, but has not agreed on further action.