The passage of a second ship from Ukraine through a temporary corridor in the Black Sea has nothing to do with the prospects of reviving a grain deal that includes Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today.

Kiev said on Sunday that a ship carrying steel products bound for Africa had left the port of Odesa through a temporary “humanitarian” corridor in the Black Sea, the second ship to do so after Russia withdrew last month from a deal that was achieved through UN mediation and allowed grain to be exported safely.

In the regular press briefing from the Kremlin, Peskov reiterated Moscow’s position that reviving the grain deal would depend on the West keeping its promises to Moscow in terms of exports of its own grains and fertilizers.

“The prospects for the renewal of the grain agreement depend on the real implementation, not just on words, of the promises, the commitments given to the Russian side, which means the implementation of the part of the agreement related to Russia,” said Peskov.

Russian grain and fertilizer exports are not subject to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over its military actions in Ukraine. But Russia says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance remain a barrier to shipments.

Kiev announced the “humanitarian corridor” in the Black Sea earlier this month to free cargo ships stranded in Ukrainian ports after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

“This (temporary corridor) is a completely different issue (from the grain agreement) and our Defense Ministry is monitoring it as required,” Peskov said.

Russia has launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian ports after letting the deal lapse. Kiev responded with surface drone attacks on Russian warships near a critical Russian port and a Russian tanker near Crimea.

Ukraine and Russia lead grain exports. Almost 33 million tons of Ukrainian grain were exported during the 12 months when the Black Sea Accord was in operation.