Russia: "Black Sea Grain Deal Invalid from Today"... Ukraine Grain Exports Virtually End

Last Year, Agreement Signed Through UN and Turkey Mediation
Russia "Promises Not Kept"

Russia has decided to suspend the 'Black Sea Grain Initiative.' This effectively ends the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, which had been allowed even after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

On the 17th (local time), according to major foreign media, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated in a press conference call regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative, "Unfortunately, since Russia-related matters have not been fulfilled, the agreement has lost its effect," adding, "From today, the agreement is null and void."

Russia has threatened not to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which guarantees the safety of grain export ships in the Black Sea, after the 18th of this month (local time). Meanwhile, the four parties to the agreement?Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations, and T?rkiye?are negotiating to extend the agreement. The photo shows a resident in Izmail, Odesa Oblast, southwestern Ukraine, attaching a flag to a boat on the 26th of last month. (Photo by Yonhap News)

He said, "As Russia previously announced, the deadline for the agreement was the 17th," and "Unfortunately, Russia-related matters have not yet been fulfilled, so the agreement has ended." However, he added, "Although the agreement has been suspended, Russia will return to implementing the agreement as soon as the Russia-related matters are fulfilled."

Spokesperson Peskov also stated that the attack on the Crimean Bridge, which connects the Crimean Peninsula occupied by Ukraine and the Russian mainland, is unrelated to the termination of this agreement. He further explained, "President Vladimir Putin had already announced his position on the agreement before this incident."

Earlier, Russia and Ukraine signed the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July last year, mediated by the United Nations and T?rkiye, to guarantee the safety of grain export ships in the Black Sea. However, Russia has threatened to withdraw from the agreement, claiming that promises to guarantee the export of its agricultural products and fertilizers have not been kept. The agreement was extended for the third time on May 17 and was set to expire after two months on this day.

Russia has previously suspended the agreement several times, citing issues such as attacks by Ukraine or the implementation of the agreement. In November last year, Russia suspended participation in the agreement, claiming that Ukraine attacked the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, but later returned. In April and May, the implementation of the agreement was suspended for several days as Russia refused ship inspections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.