Russia has announced the suspension of its participation in the Black Sea grain export deal, as confirmed by the Kremlin on Monday. The agreement, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July of last year, aimed to address the global food crisis by facilitating the safe export of Ukrainian grain that had been blocked due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

While the deal had been extended multiple times, it was set to expire on Monday. Russia had expressed concerns for months that the conditions necessary for its extension had not been met. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters that the Black Sea agreements were no longer in effect.

Regrettably, Peskov stated that part of the agreements concerning Russia had not been implemented, leading to the termination of its effect. Moscow has consistently complained about encountering obstacles in its grain and fertilizer exports, even though these items were not directly subject to Western sanctions. Russia had presented a series of demands that it claimed had not been fulfilled.

However, Peskov emphasised that if the Russian demands were met, Russia would immediately return to implementing the deal. He clarified that the decision not to renew the agreement was unrelated to the recent attack on the bridge between Russia and Crimea, which Russia labelled a “terrorist act” and blamed on Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military suggested that the attack may have been a provocation orchestrated by Russia itself. Ukrainian media, citing unidentified sources, indicated that Ukraine’s Security Service was involved in the incident. Peskov dismissed any connection between the suspension of the deal and the bridge attack, stating that President Putin had declared Russia’s position even before the terrorist act occurred.

The suspension of Russia’s participation in the Black Sea grain export deal raises concerns about the impact on grain exports from the region and the potential consequences for global food supplies.