NEW YORK, June 13. /TASS/. The US leadership is secretly encouraging agricultural and transport companies to increase purchases of Russian fertilizers against a sharp decrease in supplies due to sanctions, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.

"The EU and the US have built exemptions into their restrictions on doing business with Russia to allow trade in fertilizer, of which Moscow is a key global supplier. But many shippers, banks and insurers have been staying away from the trade out of fear they could inadvertently fall afoul of the rules. Russian fertilizer exports are down 24% this year. US officials, surprised by the extent of the caution, are in the seemingly paradoxical position of looking for ways to boost them," the agency wrote.

According to the report, "The effort is part of complex and difficult negotiations underway involving the United Nations to boost deliveries of fertilizer, grain and other farm products from Russia and Ukraine.".