Ukraine war: Russia pulls out of Black Sea grain deal
Russia said on Monday it had officially notified Turkey, Ukraine and the UN that it was against extending the Black Sea grain export deal.
The deal, which was brokered by the UN and Turkey in 2022, aimed at allowing the export of grain from war-torn Ukraine, easing the heavy impact on global food prices.
"In fact, the Black Sea agreements ceased to be valid today," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
"Unfortunately, the part of these Black Sea agreements concerning Russia has not been implemented so far, so its effect is terminated."
Moscow's ambassador to Belarus separately said that a note had been sent from the embassy to Ukraine via diplomatic channels, and that the deal would be terminated from 18 July.
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The deal was part of an effort to combat a global food crisis sparked by disruption to grain supplies following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The deal was renewed in March, for 60 days.
However, Moscow has since issued fresh demands, including over a mooted prisoner exchange and exports.
More to follow...
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