The National Security and Defense Council explained why it is so important for Russia to lift agricultural sanctions for a ceasefire.
This is stated in a statement by the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council.
They noted that easing sanctions on the Russian agricultural sector, which Moscow wants, will not increase exports. Supplies depend not on restrictions, but on yields and world prices. Therefore, there will be no breakthrough in global food security.
Russia has regularly demanded the lifting of sanctions on the owners and beneficiaries of agricultural companies, citing the fact that due to the sanction status, some countries allegedly refuse to accept cargoes, but this is a manipulation: the accounts of these companies are not frozen, and payments are possible. The disputes that arose in 2022 were quickly resolved. While the real goal is not grain, but money. Russia is trying to unfreeze the accounts of oligarchs and companies and provide them with unhindered access to currency transactions.
Russia's agricultural sector is directly linked to the financing of the defense industry. In addition, these companies are involved in the export of stolen grain and, probably, weapons.
Russia demands not only the lifting of sanctions against Rosselkhozbank, but also against other financial institutions working with agricultural exports. This is not just a "humanitarian" demand - it is an attempt to open a wide financial gateway. Russia's return to SWIFT means more than $100 billion in transactions per month, compared to the current $10 billion.
This is not just a number - it is a large-scale financial resource to support the war against Ukraine. Returning to SWIFT will reduce the reputational toxicity of the Russian Federation, create a precedent for further lifting of sanctions even before the end of hostilities.
"The formulation of the requirements is vague: "financial institutions servicing agricultural exports" - gives Russia the opportunity to remove key systemic banks from sanctions. Access to ports will open up the possibility of technical maintenance of vessels that may be transporting stolen Ukrainian grain or prohibited equipment. The lifting of restrictions on tankers will simplify logistics and strengthen economic stability," the NSDC reports.
It is also a threat to the Western market, as Russia artificially lowers fertilizer prices thanks to cheap gas, crowding out producers from the US and Europe. It is a threat to international competition. Under the guise of "food security", the Kremlin is promoting the goal of further financing the war.
The Center added that it is impossible to legalize the circumvention of sanctions and strengthen Russia's military economy.
As Apostrophe reported, the US and Ukraine agreed to ensure safe navigation, exclude the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea .