Russia has suspended its participation in the agreement on the export of grains via the Black Sea from Ukrainian ports, the term of which expires this Monday.
The Russian position was released on the same day explosions on the Crimean Bridge killed two people and halted traffic.
The Russian presidency says the decision has nothing to do with the attack on the bridge, according to Sky News. Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said commitments on the Russian side have not been fulfilled.
“The grain deal is on hold,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during his daily telephone press conference.
“When the Russia-related part of the Black Sea agreement is fulfilled, Russia will immediately return to the implementation of the agreement,” Peskov said.
A Kremlin spokesman said the attack on a bridge connecting Crimea to the Russian mainland was not a factor in the decision to suspend the agreement. “No, these developments are not connected,” he stressed.
“Even before this terrorist attack, President [da Rússia, Vladimir] Putin had expressed our position on this grain issue, the Russian spokesman stressed.
The groundbreaking deal negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey last summer allowed tons of food to leave the Black Sea region after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
A separate deal eased the movement of Russian food and fertilizer amid Western sanctions.
Russia and Ukraine are important global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other food products.
Russians have complained that restrictions on shipping and insurance have hindered the export of their food and fertilizers, which are also essential to the global food chain.
Analysts and export data show that Russia has exported record amounts of wheat and its fertilizers are also being exported.
The Black Sea grain export deal was extended for 60 days in May, despite opposition from Moscow. The amount of food shipped and the number of ships leaving Ukraine have fallen in recent months. Russia is accused of limiting the use of additional ships for grain exports.
While analysts expect no more than a temporary increase in food prices, as countries such as Russia and Brazil increase their exports of wheat and corn, food insecurity is on the rise.
The war in Ukraine drove food prices to record highs last year and contributed to a global food crisis also linked to other conflicts, the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, droughts and other climatic factors.
The high cost of the grains needed for staple food in places like Egypt, Lebanon and Nigeria has exacerbated economic challenges and contributed to pushing millions into poverty or food insecurity. People in developing countries spend more money to feed themselves.
Poorer countries that rely on imported food priced in dollars also spend more as their currencies weaken and are also forced to import more due to climate concerns. Countries such as Somalia, Kenya, Morocco and Tunisia are struggling with drought.
Source: DN
