Russia announced last Monday (7/17/23) its decision to halt its involvement in a crucial agreement known as the Black Sea Grain Deal which facilitated the export of Ukrainian crops. This action triggered concerns about the worldwide food provision and eroded a rare diplomatic breakthrough from Moscow’s engagement in the Ukrainian conflict.
During the month of July 2022, the UN and Turkey helped reach a deal that was planned to end officially at 5 pm ET on Monday.
On Monday, while speaking to the media, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, reported that Russia presently has no designs to broaden the contract, asserting that it had been terminated.
Russia has expressed continuous grievances over limitations on its agricultural export capabilities, and Peskov cited this as the reason for withdrawing from the agreement. He mentioned, “Once the Russian requirements are met, our side will promptly resume the implementation of this agreement.”
Over the weekend, President Vladimir Putin stated that the primary objective of the agreement, which involved supplying crops to countries in need, “has not been accomplished.” He further expressed dissatisfaction with Russia’s obstacles in exporting its own food.
Peskov indicated the possibility of revisiting the agreement in the future, emphasizing that Russia would comply “once the Russian conditions are met.”
Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, recently accused Russia of utilizing the crop agreement as a “tool of coercion.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also conveyed his concerns during a CBS interview on Monday, asserting that “Russia has been gradually undermining the crop initiative, seeking one extension after another.”
Kuleba added, “The prices of crops worldwide will increase, impacting vulnerable regions in Asia and Africa the most.”
This development raises concerns about the stability of global food supplies and the potential impact on regions depending on crop imports. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders will closely monitor the implications for international agricultural markets and work towards finding a resolution.
