Russia Pulls Plug on Black Sea Grain Deal
Russia has slammed the door on the Black Sea grain export deal, the Kremlin confirmed on Monday. The pact, brokered by the UN and Turkey last July, was designed to ease the global food crisis by allowing safe export of Ukrainian grain trapped by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Deal Set to Expire Amid Russian Grumbles
The agreement was due to expire Monday after several extensions. Russia had been grumbling for months that key conditions to renew the deal weren’t met. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters bluntly: the Black Sea deal is dead.
Peskov said parts of the deal involving Russia weren’t implemented, forcing Moscow to pull out. Despite grain and fertiliser not being directly sanctioned by the West, Russia claims it hit roadblocks exporting them. Moscow insists its demands remain unmet to this day.
Russia Open to Returning — If Its Terms Are Met
But Peskov left the door ajar. “If our demands are addressed, we’ll jump right back in,” he said. He also denied Russia’s exit had anything to do with a recent explosion at the Russia-Crimea bridge, which Moscow called a “terrorist act” and blamed on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military countered, suggesting Moscow staged the attack as a provocation. Ukrainian media, citing unnamed sources, claimed Ukraine’s Security Service was behind it. Peskov rejected any link between the bridge incident and Russia quitting the grain deal, saying Putin’s decision came before the attack.
Global Food Supply Fears Grow
Russia’s exit throws the future of Black Sea grain exports into doubt. The move sparks fresh fears over global food shortages as millions depend on the grain flowing from Ukraine’s ports. The world watches closely as the crisis threatens to deepen.
