Title: Russia Halts Crucial Grain Deal, Accusing West of Prioritizing Profit over Humanity
Subtitle: World Leaders Express Concern over Potential Rise in Global Food Prices and Humanitarian Fallout
Date: 17 July 2023
Russia has recently informed the United Nations, Turkey, and Ukraine that it will not be renewing a vital grain deal, which previously enabled Ukraine to export its grain through the Black Sea. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the agreement came to a de facto end on Monday. The deal had allowed cargo ships to pass through the Black Sea from the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.
Moscow emphasized that it would reconsider its decision if certain conditions were met. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long complained about parts of the agreement that were not honored, specifically regarding the export of Russian food and fertilizers to poorer countries, which was a condition of the deal.
Additionally, Russia criticized Western sanctions, claiming they restrict its own agricultural exports. President Putin had previously threatened to withdraw from the agreement on several occasions. The country’s foreign ministry reiterated these grievances on Monday, accusing the West of sabotaging the agreement and prioritizing commercial interests over humanitarian goals.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, however, expressed his belief that Putin intends to continue the agreement and stated that they would discuss its renewal during their upcoming meeting next month.
The grain deal is of significant importance as Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters of sunflower, maize, wheat, and barley. Following Russia’s invasion in February 2022, naval vessels blockaded Ukrainian ports, trapping approximately 20 million tonnes of grain and resulting in a significant spike in global food prices.
The blockade also threatened food supplies to numerous Middle Eastern and African countries heavily reliant on Ukrainian grain. Eventually, an agreement was brokered in July of last year with the assistance of the United Nations and Turkey.
Ukraine remains undeterred by Russia’s decision to withdraw from the deal and has received offers from vessel-owning companies willing to continue shipping grain if Ukraine grants them access and Turkey permits passage. Mykhaylo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Zelensky, proposed the creation of an international armed patrol force to escort grain-carrying ships and ensure their safety. However, the success of such an initiative may depend on the willingness of other countries to participate.
While Ukraine has identified alternative means of exporting grain, including through their Danube River ports, it is acknowledged by Nikolay Gorbachev, the president of the Ukrainian Grain Association, that these ports will be less efficient, resulting in reduced grain exports and increased transportation costs.
Leaders from around the world swiftly condemned Russia’s decision. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, characterized it as a “cynical move,” while Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, labeled it an “act of cruelty.”
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), stressed the importance of Black Sea trade in food, feed, and fertilizer for global food price stability. She expressed hope that Russia would reconsider its decision.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the necessity of finding solutions to the potential humanitarian crisis resulting from Russia’s withdrawal from the deal. He emphasized the significant implications for a world already suffering from hunger and hardship.
Russia’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, clarified that the decision to let the deal expire was unrelated to recent events, asserting that Putin’s position had already been declared before the attack.
As the grain deal hangs in the balance, the international community awaits further developments and hopes for a reconsideration by Russia to prevent further disruption to global food supplies and alleviate human suffering.
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