US condemns Russia over suspension of Black Sea grain export deal

The United States is condemning Russia’s decision to pull out of the Black Sea grain deal.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative allowed Ukrainians to export grain and fertilizer through Black Sea ports. But the last ship covered by the deal has already set sail.

US officials say Moscow’s decision will affect the world’s poorest populations.

Russia stressed it will not return to the deal unless it can also export its own grain and fertilizer. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it needs to see concrete action, not promises or guarantees, before it will return to the table.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the deal should continue even without Moscow.

“Everyone has the right to stability. Africa has the right to stability. Asia has the right to stability. Europe has the right to stability. Therefore, we all must ensure security, protection, from Russian madness,” Zelenskyy said.

Recall Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan helped broker the initial deal. He said he will discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet in August.

Earlier, Russia’s presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced Monday, the day the agreement was due to expire that Moscow has halted the deal that allowed Ukraine to continue exporting grain from ports on the Black Sea.

Russia and Ukraine signed the deal last July under mediation by the United Nations and Turkey.

The suspension is raising concerns about global food security which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “Russia is responsible for denying food to people who desperately need it around the world and to contribute to rising prices at a time when many countries continue to experience very difficult inflation.”