Russia suspends UN-brokered grain deal over Ukraine terror attacks

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Russia suspended its commitment to a landmark agreement that allowed vital grain exports from Ukraine after Kiev waged drone attacks on Russian ships in Crimea's Sevastopol.

After the Russian army accused Ukraine of a massive drone attack on its Black Sea fleet, Russia made the announcement, while the UN urged the deal to remain in effect.

The deal, brokered in July by Turkey and the UN, was made to ease up the global food crisis caused by the war. 

Since the agreement was struck, over 9 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain were exported; the deal, in addition, was supposed to be renewed on November 19. 

A Turkish governmental source told AFP that they had not been "officially notified" of Moscow's decision. 

"I call on all states to demand that Russia stop its hunger games and recommit to fulfilling its obligations," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter.

UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said it was "vital" that all of the parties to the agreement "refrain from any action that would imperil the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is a critical humanitarian effort."

"In light of the terrorist act carried out by the Kiev regime with the participation of British experts against ships of the Black Sea fleet and civilian vessels involved in the security of grain corridors, Russia suspends its participation in the implementation of the agreement on the export of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports," the Russian defense ministry said on Telegram.

Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed that "there is no obstacle to extending the shipping agreement" related to the UN grain deal.

In a press conference, while returning from a trip to Azerbaijan, Erdogan said: "I saw this again in my phone call with [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky last night and in my meeting with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. But in the meantime, if there is any blockage, there is no obstacle for us to overcome."

Last week, UN Coordinator for the Black Sea grain deal, Amir Mahmoud Abdulla, stated that the grain agreement would not only be extended but may also be expanded.

Moscow and Kiev have made requests to extend the agreement, according to the official. Thus, Russia wants to resume ammonia exports, while Ukraine wants to extend the agreement for more than a year and include the port of Mykolaiv.

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