Grain Export Deal: Russia blocks Black Sea drawing condemnations for declining
Russia says it has indefinitely suspended its participation in a deal that facilitated agricultural exports from Ukraine thus halting the transport of Ukrainian grain in the Black Sea on Sunday, a decision blasted by Kyiv, Washington, and the EU.
The Russian foreign ministry made the announcement in a statement on Saturday.
The unilateral move came after Russia’s defense ministry claimed Ukrainian forces had carried out a drone attack on its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, with Britain’s help.
The statement said the Russian side can no longer guarantee the safety of cargo ships participating in the deal. The ministry cited the attack as the reason.
But Ukraine has denounced it as a “false pretext” and called for pressure to be brought to bear to ensure that Russia “recommits to its obligations”.
Recall Russian forces blocked grain exports from Black Sea ports after the invasion of Ukraine began.
The agreement brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July allowed shipments to resume. The deal has seen more than nine million tonnes of grain exported from Ukraine during the war and has brought down soaring global food prices.
Russia’s suspension has raised fears that exports could be disrupted again. This comes amid concerns about a global food crisis.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says, “It is vital that all parties refrain from any action that would imperil the Black Sea Grain Initiative which is a critical humanitarian effort that is clearly having a positive impact on access to food for millions of people around the world.”
Ukraine’s foreign minister tweeted about the suspension. Dmytro Kuleba said Moscow is using a “false pretext” to block the deal. He urged countries to compel Russia to stop what he called its “hunger games” and recommit to its obligations.
The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) overseeing the agreement confirmed that no cargo movements had been approved for Sunday. Nine cargo ships were able to use the Black Sea corridor on Saturday and “more than ten others” are ready to do the same in both directions, it said.
Russia’s abrupt move on Saturday to halt the UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal has caused an international outcry and dealt a blow to attempts to ease the world’s food crisis.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia was trying to create an artificial famine in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, calling for a strong response from the United Nations and the G20 major economies.
“This is a completely transparent attempt by Russia to return to the threat of large-scale famine for Africa, for Asia,” Zelenskyy said in a video address, calling for Russia to be kicked out of the G20.
The European Union called on Russia to reverse its decision to pull out of the deal, while US President Joe Biden said the move was “purely outrageous” and would increase starvation.
The EU accused Moscow of putting at risk supply routes to address the global food crisis caused by its war in Ukraine.
“Russia’s decision to suspend participation in the Black Sea deal puts at risk the main export route of much-needed grain and fertilizers to address the global food crisis caused by its war against Ukraine,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter.
“Any act by Russia to disrupt these critical grain exports is essentially a statement that people and families around the world should pay more for food or go hungry,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Moscow pointed the finger at British navy “specialists” it accused of helping to coordinate the “terrorist” attack, and also alleged British navy personnel had blown up the Nord Stream gas pipelines last month.
Its claim, unaccompanied by any evidence, prompted London to respond that it was false and designed to distract from Russian military failures in Ukraine.
The Russian declaration came one day after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Russia and Ukraine to renew the grain export deal, which was scheduled to expire on November 19.
