U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has confirmed plans to grant “comfort letters” to shipping and insurance companies in an effort to help facilitate exports of Russian grain and fertilizers, Reuters reported.
“We are prepared to give them comfort letters if that will help to encourage them, as well as insurance companies to support those efforts to get grain out of Russia that again is very needed by the international community,” Thomas-Greenfield said in a press release. “But I will say Russia is able to get its oil out, and that’s sanctioned. They should be able to get their grain out that’s not sanctioned.”
Under the terms of the request, UN Member States will aid exporters with additional humanitarian funding, donations and increased fertilizer productions, a press release reported. Other benefits will include keeping agricultural markets open, supporting sustainable food systems and monitoring global food market developments.
“We have invited all Member States to sign onto this roadmap and look forward to continuing to convene discussions on this urgent global crisis in the coming months,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
According to a press release, the expert also noted that Russian grain and fertilizer were not currently under sanctions.
“Companies are a little nervous and we're prepared to give them comfort letters if that will help to encourage them,” she said.
Thomas-Greenfield said the decision to send Rebeca Grynspan to Russia and the U.S. is one that they hope will encourage companies who are holding back on shipping Russian grain and fertilizer.