Moscow said it had indefinitely suspended months-old trade allowing grain shipments from Ukrainian ports, citing attacks on its bases in occupied Crimea.
Moscow will “indefinitely suspend participation” in UN-brokered agreements to ensure that agricultural products made in Ukraine reach global markets, according to a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday. .
The deal is considered important for global food security given Ukraine’s role as a major producer of grain, which is typically shipped via the Black Sea to markets around the world. , especially shipped to Africa and the Middle East.
“The Russian side cannot guarantee the safety of civilian dry cargo ships,” the foreign ministry said, citing an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on the port of Sevastopol in Crimea early Saturday morning. said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba said: Tweet Moscow was using “a false pretext to block the grain corridor.”
A Russian Foreign Ministry statement reiterated claims that British experts assisted Ukraine in its attack on Crimea, and Moscow also said it had seriously damaged the Nord Stream gas pipeline without providing supporting evidence. British forces were accused of being behind the damaging blast.London rejected claim.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Russia of a “blackmail” and a “fictitious terrorist attack”.
The export deal, dubbed the Black Sea Grains Initiative, was due to run until November 19, after which all sides had to agree to extend the deal. The deal allowed Ukraine to resume grain and fertilizer exports through the Black Sea, which had stalled when Russia invaded the country in late February.
Millions of tons of wheat, corn, sunflower products and other grains have shipped from Ukraine since a UN-backed grain deal was signed in Turkey on July 22.
The United Nations, which brokered grain deals with Turkey, said it was “in communication with Russian authorities” about Moscow’s suspension of the deal.
“It is important for all parties to refrain from actions that would jeopardize the Black Sea Grains Initiative, a vital humanitarian effort,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a statement.
Nahal Toosi contributed a report from Washington.
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