Russia wants the West to ease restrictions on state agriculture lender Rosselkhozbank to facilitate Russian grain exports, according to four sources familiar with the request, made during talks to extend a deal on food shipments from Ukraine.

Moscow suspended its participation in the secure Black Sea grain corridor in late October but rejoined after four days, easing fears of further disruptions to grain exports from key supplier Ukraine.

Should Russia's request be granted, Rosselkhozbank's role in Russia's grain trade could expand significantly.

The Agriculture Ministry and its head, Dmitry Patrushev, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The Russian Union of Grain Exporters has proposed that the agriculture ministry include a more detailed plan for Rosselkhozbank in Russia's list of requests during negotiations, Eduard Zernin, head of the association, told Reuters.

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/exclusive-russia-seeks-sanctions-exemptions-state-bank-ukraine-grain-deal-talks-2022-11-04/