Russia has been breaking agreements it signs since Middle Ages - Rinkevics

• Published date: 28 July 2022
• Publication title: LETA

RIGA, July 28 (LETA) - Russia has been breaking agreements it signs already since the Middle Ages, commenting on the Russian missile strikes that targeted Odesa after the signing of a grain export agreement, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) said in an interview with Latvian Television.

The Latvian minister doubts that anyone had entertained the illusions that Russia will honor the agreement on Ukrainian grain export. "Since the Middle Ages, Russia - whether an empire or a federation - has had a long history of signing documents only to breech them soon afterwards. The most outrageous case in recent decades is the Budapest Memorandum, which Russia signed to guarantee Ukraine's territorial integrity," Rinkevics said.

Rinkevics understands why the UN, Turkey and other countries are backing the agreement on grain export - the problem is becoming increasingly pressing as grain shortages can lead to famine in many regions of the world, which in turn can result in security risks and fresh migration waves threatening Europe.

In the situation where Russia has targeted Odesa with missile strikes following the grain export agreement, thus showing that it is an unreliable partner, Russia has lost credibility in the eyes not only of Western but also other countries. Whether this agreement can still be saved will...