13.04.2023, 07:38
The UN is discussing the issue of connecting Russian banks to SWIFT
Source: OREANDA-NEWS
OREANDA-NEWS The UN is in discussions with people who are responsible for SWIFT about reconnecting Russian banks to the system as part of the implementation of the product deal, the official representative of the Secretary General of the organization, Stephane Dujarric, said at a briefing.
"The fact that a number of Russian financial institutions, if not all of them, are not in the SWIFT system complicates the situation. And we are having discussions with people who are responsible for SWIFT, with Europeans and others about this," Dujarric said. "In some matters we have power – a little, but there is. This is not the right question. The Secretary General has no power over SWIFT, he has no power over member countries that have imposed unilateral sanctions, he has no power over insurance companies, delivery companies. He can't tell them what to do," he added. According to him, the UN is trying to gather a group of people, some of whom are members of trade associations, representatives of private business, governments, the European Union, to make sure that the memorandum of understanding is being implemented. "But we don't have the authority to do what those who have the authority should do," he added.
Earlier, Russia extended the Black Sea grain initiative for 60 days – until May 18. The Russian Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, in his letter to the Deputy Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, pointed out that "consideration by the Russian side of the further extension of the Black Sea grain initiative after this date will be possible only depending on the achievement of tangible progress in the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Russian Federation and the UN Secretariat on assistance in promoting Russian food and fertilizers to global markets".
In particular, according to Nebenzie, the following problems should be solved: connection to the Russian Agricultural Bank's SWIFT system, resumption of supplies of agricultural machinery to Russia, lifting of restrictions on insurance and access to ports for Russian cargo ships, resumption of operation of the Tolyatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline, unblocking of accounts and financial activities of Russian fertilizer companies.
The grain deal, which was signed by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN on July 22, 2022, involves the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizers via the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa. The Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul is responsible for coordinating the movement of ships. Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out in September that the West exports most of the Ukrainian grain to its states, and not to the needy countries of Africa.
"The fact that a number of Russian financial institutions, if not all of them, are not in the SWIFT system complicates the situation. And we are having discussions with people who are responsible for SWIFT, with Europeans and others about this," Dujarric said. "In some matters we have power – a little, but there is. This is not the right question. The Secretary General has no power over SWIFT, he has no power over member countries that have imposed unilateral sanctions, he has no power over insurance companies, delivery companies. He can't tell them what to do," he added. According to him, the UN is trying to gather a group of people, some of whom are members of trade associations, representatives of private business, governments, the European Union, to make sure that the memorandum of understanding is being implemented. "But we don't have the authority to do what those who have the authority should do," he added.
Earlier, Russia extended the Black Sea grain initiative for 60 days – until May 18. The Russian Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, in his letter to the Deputy Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, pointed out that "consideration by the Russian side of the further extension of the Black Sea grain initiative after this date will be possible only depending on the achievement of tangible progress in the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Russian Federation and the UN Secretariat on assistance in promoting Russian food and fertilizers to global markets".
In particular, according to Nebenzie, the following problems should be solved: connection to the Russian Agricultural Bank's SWIFT system, resumption of supplies of agricultural machinery to Russia, lifting of restrictions on insurance and access to ports for Russian cargo ships, resumption of operation of the Tolyatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline, unblocking of accounts and financial activities of Russian fertilizer companies.
The grain deal, which was signed by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN on July 22, 2022, involves the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizers via the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa. The Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul is responsible for coordinating the movement of ships. Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out in September that the West exports most of the Ukrainian grain to its states, and not to the needy countries of Africa.
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