Russia Suspends Wheat Export Deal, Says Ukraine Attacked Civilian Ships
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Russia suspended a deal brokered in July that allowed ports along Ukraine’s southern coast to export grain shipments, citing alleged attacks on civilian ships by Ukrainian forces.
Key Quotes: The statement from Russia, reported by the Associated Press, claims Ukrainian forces attacked civilian ships with the help of “British Specialists,” stating, “the Russian side cannot guarantee the safety of civilian dry cargo ships participating in the Black Sea initiative, and suspends its implementation from today for an indefinite period.” Ukrainian leadership denied the allegation, with President Zelenskiy stating, “this is a completely transparent attempt by Russia to return to the threat of large-scale famine for Africa, for Asia.” This was echoed by Western leaders, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating, “Russia is again weaponizing food in the war it started, directly impacting low- and middle-income countries and global food prices, and exacerbating already dire humanitarian crises and food insecurity.”
For Context: Russia and Ukraine are both in the top five of wheat exporters, making up 21% of the global wheat market. The war has disrupted wheat production and shipments in the region, raising prices on food globally. The withdrawal from the deal comes as Ukrainian forces continue a counter-offensive that has pushed back Russian invaders, leading Moscow to strike at civilian infrastructure with kamikaze drones.
How the Media Covered it: The announcement from Russia was covered heavily in international outlets over the weekend, mostly focusing on responses from Western leaders.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Russia suspends Ukraine grain deal over ship attack claimRussia announced Saturday that it will immediately suspend its implementation of a U.N.-brokered grain deal that has seen more than 9 million tons of grain exported from Ukraine during the war and has brought down soaring global food prices. Ukraine accused Russia of creating a world “hunger games.”
The Russian Defense Ministry cited an alleged Ukrainian drone attack Saturday against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet ships moored off the coast of occupied Crimea as the reason for the move. Ukraine has denied the attack, saying that the Russians mishandled their own...
From the Center
U.N. chief delays travel to try to bring Russia back into Black Sea grain dealThe head of the United Nations said he was "deeply concerned" by Russia's decision to suspend its participation in a U.N.-brokered grain deal and delayed a foreign visit to try to revive the agreement, which aims to ease a global food crisis.
Moscow halted its role in the Black Sea deal on Saturday, effectively cutting shipments from Ukraine, one of the world's top grain exporters. It said it was responding to what it called a major Ukrainian drone attack earlier in the day on its fleet near the port of...
From the Right
Ukraine Says Russia Grain Move Requires Strong International ResponseRussia pulled out of a key United Nations-brokered grain deal, provoking international outrage and dealing a blow to attempts to ease a global food crisis triggered by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
On Saturday Moscow said it was suspending participation in the Black Sea deal, which has sought to avert famine and tame inflation, in response to what it called a major Ukrainian drone attack on its fleet. In a conflict that began in February, Russia calls its actions in Ukraine "a special operation."
The suspension of July's Black Sea Grain...
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