Russia says it will keep talking to the United Nations about the future of a deal that allows the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, but would not do anything to harm its own interests.

A top UN trade official is due to travel to Moscow for talks tomorrow about UN efforts to help facilitate Russia’s grain and fertilizer exports.

While not subject to Western sanctions imposed over the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has complained of obstacles to such shipments.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered what was described as a package deal in July last year, the safe resumption of Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports and a UN commitment to help Russian shipments of grain and fertilizer.

Russia has threatened to quit the Black Sea export pact on May 18th.