Geng Shuang Photo:Xinhua

 

China called on countries concerned to take practical measures to resolve obstacles facing Russia's grain and fertilizer export and to stop politicizing or weaponizing economic and trade issues at a UN Security Council meeting on a crucial Ukraine grain deal.

As the Black Sea Grain Initiative has played an active role in curbing the momentum of rising global food prices since it has been signed four months ago, all related parties should maintain political commitment and strengthen collaboration to strictly fulfill the deal and address the problems that arise during the implementation, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, told the UN Security Council on Monday.

Geng said the export of Russia's grain and fertilizer equally matters to the international market and the memorandum signed between Russia and the UN should be effectively implemented, urging countries concerned to eliminate the negative impact brought by all-round, non-discriminatory sanctions on international trade.

The UN Security Council meeting came after Russia's decision to suspend its participation in the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was signed in July separately by Russia and Ukraine with Turkey and the UN to resume grain shipments from Ukrainian ports to international markets via the Black Sea.

On Saturday, Russia's Defense Ministry announced that it was suspending the implementation of agreements on the export of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports, citing a Ukrainian "terror attack" against ships of the Black Sea Fleet and civilian vessels involved in ensuring the security of the grain corridor, RT reported.

According to UN News, two senior UN officials told the Security Council on Monday that the landmark agreement to export grain and related foodstuffs from Ukraine must be kept alive amid the ongoing war and the global cost of living crisis, and Ukraine's Ambassador said he was "outraged but not surprised" by Russia's decision.

Geng said China has noticed Russia's withdrawal decisions, as well as the responses from Ukraine and UN. "China wishes all parties concerned to keep communicating on the issue and try to rebuild mutual trust for a solution that meets all parties' concern. China also wishes the UN Secretary-General to continue to play an active role," said Geng.

Geng pointed out that dialogue and negotiation is the only realistic way to solve the Ukraine crisis as never will Cold War mentality, bloc politics, division and confrontation, as well as isolation and suppression bring peace. "China has been actively promoting peace talks and will continue to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis and maintaining global peace and stability," Geng added.