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A Ukrainian farmer harvests grain in the Odessa region on June 23. Photo by Igor Tkachenko/EPA-EFE
July 17 (UPI) — Russia has announced the termination of the agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain from its ports in the Black Sea.
The cancellation, which occurred just before the deadline of the latest extension, leaves open the possibility of the agreement being revived, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by the official TASS news agency.
“The Black Sea agreements are no longer in effect. The deadline, as the Russian president stated earlier, is July 17. Unfortunately, the part of the Black Sea agreement that concerns Russia has not been fulfilled. As a result, it has been terminated,” said Peskov.
“Once the Russian part of the deal is fulfilled, Russia will immediately resume implementation of the agreement.”
Russia has become increasingly frustrated with what it perceives as unfair restrictions on its grain and fertilizer exports, which it believes are hindering the agreement’s goal of providing grain to countries in need.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed regret over Russia’s decision to withdraw from the deal, highlighting that the agreement had facilitated the safe passage of over 32 million metric tons of food from Ukrainian ports.
“Participation in these agreements is ultimately a choice. However, struggling people and developing countries do not have a choice,” Guterres said, noting the surge in wheat prices following the announcement. “Hundreds of millions of people are facing hunger, and consumers are dealing with a global cost-of-living crisis.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen strongly condemned Russia’s move on Twitter, promising to find alternative ways to transport grain to global markets.
“I strongly condemn Russia’s cynical decision to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite the efforts of the U.N. and Turkey.
“The EU is working towards ensuring food security for vulnerable populations. ‘EU Solidarity Lanes’ will continue to transport agrifood products from Ukraine to global markets,” she wrote.
The agreement, which allowed Ukraine to export 25 million tons of grain stranded at its Black Sea ports in exchange for Russia’s continued fertilizer exports, was initially established in July of the previous year and had been extended multiple times. However, recent extensions were shortened.
The agreement aimed at alleviating global shortages and stabilizing high prices of wheat and other cereals, particularly affecting African countries, which were triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Peskov clarified that Moscow’s opposition to the latest extension of the grain deal was expressed prior to an incident that damaged the strategically important Crimean Bridge, linking Russia with the partitioned Ukrainian region of Crimea, and had no influence on Russia’s decision.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who negotiated the most recent 60-day extension, announced on May 17 that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin does not truly want to terminate the agreement, and he pledged to discuss the matter over the phone ahead of the Ankara-Moscow summit in August.
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