Russia is suspending its participation in a deal that allows safe passage to vessels carrying Ukrainian grain exports, as President Vladimir Putin has declared.
Muscow is alleging that Ukraine had used a safety corridor in the black sea to attack its fleet. However, the UN denied the allegation. The UN said that that night, there were no ships or any other activity inside the corridor.
Since then, Ukraine has not claimed any responsibility for this.
If this deal falls out, Ukraine will suffer greatly. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of “blackmailing the world with hunger”. Russia denied the accusation.
Despite this, 12 ships containing 354,500 tons of food left Ukraine’s black sea ports as Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry has declared. One of the vessels carrying 40,000 tons of grain was for Ethiopia.
In February, when Russia invaded Ukraine, its navy imposed a blockade on Ukraine’s black sea ports. Along with grains, other foodstuffs such as maize and sunflower oil were unable to be exported.
Again in July, there was a deal to resume grain exports through the black sea ports.
However, this Monday, the President of Russia said that the deal was being suspended, but not ending. Because of massive drone attacks, which he alleged Kyiv is responsible for, the deal is getting suspended.
He is suspending grain exports for maritime safety as it is too risky to implement grain exports under such conditions. President Putin wants a guarantee from Ukraine that there will be no threats to civilians.
Moscow is “weaponizing food” that’s the reason for its withdrawal from the deal.
Ukraine has not claimed any responsibility for the attack. Ukraine, it’s saying that it is long planned to abandon the internationally brokered deal and they are just using the attack as an excuse to do so.
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