Russia suspends Ukraine grain deal
The deal, known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, was brokered by the U.N. and Turkey last year to allow food to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty
The deal also provided assurances that ships won't be attacked entering and leaving Ukrainian ports, while a separate agreement facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer.
Russia announced on Monday that it would suspend its participation in the deal, blaming an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on its fleet of ships in the Black Sea¹. Russia also complained that restrictions on shipping and insurance have hampered its agricultural exports, although it has shipped record amounts of wheat since last year
Russia's suspension of the deal could have serious consequences for global food markets and food security, as Ukraine and Russia are both major suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other affordable food products that developing nations rely on.
The suspension of the deal also escalates the tension between the two sides as Ukraine pushes a grinding counteroffensive against Russia's nearly 17-month invasion of its eastern and southern regions
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