European Countries' Position on Grain Deal 'Unconscionable': Dmitry Peskov

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized the position of European countries on the Black Sea grain deal as "unconscionable."

"In this case, (I think) it would be more fitting to call the position of European countries unconscionable," he said, responding to comments by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who termed Russia’s decision to pull out of the grain deal "unconscionable," TASS reported.

Moreover, Peskov said that the Kremlin "categorically disagrees" with Blinken’s statement. "Russia has fulfilled its obligations and extended the agreement several times, despite the fact that the Russia-related provisions of the agreement were never implemented," the Kremlin spokesman pointed out.

He added that Moscow has high regard for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ efforts and attempts to persuade European countries to fulfill their obligations under the grain deal. "We highly appreciate the role of Mr. Guterres in concluding this agreement; we highly rate Mr. Guterres’ efforts to attempt to persuade European countries to fulfill the obligations that they took upon themselves. Yet, unfortunately, this did not happen," the Kremlin official told reporters.